Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Brown, a dye works bleacher, born 1853 in Basford, Nottinghamshire (son of Charles Henry Brown, 1825-1882 and Mary Ann Flewitt, 1829-1909) and his wife Mary Ann Brown (nee Moult, married on the 5th April 1874 in St. Leodegarius’s Church, Old Basford, Nottinghamshire.) born in the January quarter of 1856 in Selston, Nottinghamshire (daughter of Joseph Moult, 1831 and Sarah Massey, 1832). Joseph was born in the July quarter of 1879 in Loughborough, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Clara Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born in the July quarter of 1874 and Charles, a schoolboy, born in the January quarter of 1876, the latter two siblings were both born in Basford and Alice, born in the January quarter of 1881 in Loughborough, also residing with the family was Joseph’s Maternal Aunt, Emily Moult, a hosiery trade worker, born 1865 in Cinder Hill, Nottinghamshire, in April 1881 the family home was at Salmon Street, Loughborough. In April 1891 Joseph was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at 24, Rectory Place, Loughborough, together with his father, a hosiery trade bleacher, his mother and siblings, Clara, a hosiery trade mender, Charles, an engine maker, Florence, a schoolgirl, born in the April quarter of 1878 in Loughborough, Alice, a schoolgirl, Annie, a schoolgirl, born in the January quarter of 1884, Jennie, born in the January quarter of 1888 and Ada, born in the January quarter of 1890, the latter three siblings were all born in Loughborough. In the April quarter of 1893, Joseph’s mother died in Loughborough, aged 37. In March 1901 Joseph was absent from the family home at 5, The Avenue, Loughborough, residing there was his widowed father, a hosiery trade bleacher and his siblings, Charles, an iron and steel trade worker, George, born in the July quarter of 1882 in Loughborough, Florence, Alice a hosiery trade cutter, Annie, a hosiery trade mender and Jennie, meanwhile Joseph was employed as a builder’s carpenter and joiner and was residing as a lodger at 173, Quarry Road, Bulwell, Nottinghamshire. In April 1911 Joseph was serving as a Private with the 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment and was stationed in India.
Joseph also had the following siblings, Jane, born in the October quarter of 1885, George born in the October quarter of 1891 and Mary Ann, born in the July quarter of 1893, all the siblings were born in Loughborough, given that Joseph’s mother, Mary Ann was recorded to have died in the April quarter of 1893, and was buried in Loughborough cemetery on the 27th June, and that the last sibling to be born was named Mary Ann and was registered in the July quarter of 1893 the assumption is that Joseph’s mother may have died of complications in child birth.
Joseph enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 11th June 1903 in Ashton under Lyne, and was allotted the service number 8778. He gave his place of birth as Loughborough, Leicestershire and age as 23 years 11 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as joiner.
He confirmed that he had previously with the 1st Volunteer Battalion Leicestershire Regiment.
His medical examination took place in Ashton under Lyne on the 11th June 1903 and recorded his apparent age as 23 years 11 months, that he was 5 feet 9¾ inches in height, weighed 125 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 36½ inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was brown, his physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England.
After six months service and gymnastic course his height was 5-foot 10¼ inches, his weight was 129 lbs and had a chest measurement of 34 – 37¼ inches.
He gave his next of kin as his father, George Brown, 34, Warner Place, Loughborough.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Attested. Ashton under Lyne. 11/6/03.
Joined. Depot Manchester Regt. Pte. 11/6/03.
Posted. 2nd Bn. Manchester Regt. Pte. 7/7/03.
Appointed. Lance Corporal. 21/8/03.
Awarded. 3rd Class Certificate of Education. 28/9/03.
Posted. 1st Bn. Manchester Regt. 5/3/04.
Posted. 2nd Bn. Manchester Regt. Granted Service Pay Class I @ 6d. 1/4/04.
Charged. At Guernsey on the 16th May 1905 with [1] Overstaying his -?- -?- from 11.30 until 4.00am 17th inst. [2] Neglect of duty whilst Orderly Corporal on 17th Inst. Award. Deprived of lance Rank. 17/5/05.
Reverts to Private. 17/5/05.
Extended service to complete 9 years. 4/1/06.
Posted. 3rd Bn. Manchester Regt. Pte. 15/3/06.
Appointed. Lance Corporal. 21/4/06.
Posted. 1st Bn. Manchester Regt. 28/10/06.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (Paid). 22/1/08.
Qualified for promotion to Corporal. 25/2/08.
Granted. Class II Pay @ 7d. 11/6/08.
Awarded. 2nd Good Conduct Badge. 11/6/08.
Forfeits. 1 Good Conduct Badge. 30/6/08.
Awarded. 2nd Class Certificate of Education. 28/8/09.
Reverted to Private. (Misconduct). 11/9/08.
Restored. 1 Good Conduct Badge. 11/9/08.
Restored. 1 Good Conduct Badge. 11/9/10.
Transferred. To Army Reserve. 19/4/12.
Posted. 2nd Bn. Manchester Regt. Pte. 30/8/14.
Killed in action at Wulverghem. 28/10/14.
Summary of Service.
Total Service. 11 years 140 days.
He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Joseph’s surviving service record is in extremely poor condition, the hand written information in some cases is barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of service.
The War Diary records: 28 Oct-14 – No change. Casualties – Killed 7 men. Wounded 1 man.