Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John James Brown, a carpenter and wheelwright, born on the 26th March 1860 in Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire and baptised on the 26th April 1860 in St. James’ Church, Newbold Verdon (son of James Thomas Brown, 1837-1900 and Ann Hill, 1839-1915) and his wife Margaret Anne Brown (nee Dilks, married on the 17th February 1885 in St. Peter’s Church, Thornton), born in the October quarter of 1858 in Thornton, Leicestershire and baptised on the 21st July 1861 in St. Peter’s Church, Thornton (daughter of William Dilks, 1829-1909 and Jane Stevenson, 1829-1891). Bertram Algenon (Algernon) was born on the 24th May 1888 in Thornton and was baptised on the 24th June 1888 in St. Peter’s Church, Thornton, he had one sibling, Eliza Lilian, a schoolgirl, born on the 21st November 1885 in Desford, Leicestershire and baptised on the 10th January 1886 in St. Peter’s Church, Thornton, in April 1891 the family were residing in Main Street, Thornton. In March 1901 Bertram was residing in the family home in Main Street, Thornton, together with his father, a farmer, his mother and siblings, Eliza, Elsie May, born in the July quarter of 1893 and baptised on the 30th July in St. Peter’s Church, Thornton and Gladys Gwendoline, born 30th August 1895 and baptised on the 3rd November 1895 in the Church of the Holy Rood, Bagworth, Leicestershire, the latter two siblings were both born in Thornton. In April 1911 Bertram was absent from the family home in Thornton, residing there was his father, a carpenter and farmer, his mother and siblings, Elsie, a schoolgirl and Gladys.
Little is known of Algernon’s life in Canada after demobilization from the Canadian Army Medical Corps, save for the fact that he made arrangements during his military service for various payments to be made to a Miss M. Wilson at a number of different addresses in Halifax. Algernon also appeared to have been a school teacher at a School for the Deaf in Halifax prior to his enlistment, and upon his discharge he gave the address to which he would be returning as the School for the Deaf in Halifax. Algernon died on the 15th January 1927 whilst still a resident of Halifax, the cause of death is unknown and whether he had married is also unclear. Why his name is recorded on the Primary School War Memorial in Thornton is also unclear, unless his death had been indirectly attributable to his former war service.
Algernon enlisted into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 24th March 1915 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was allotted the service number 50927. He gave his date of birth as 24th May 1888, place of birth as Thornton, Leicestershire, England, his next of kin as mother, Mrs. J. J. Brown, Ivydene, Thornton, Leicestershire, England, marital status as unmarried and his trade or calling as teacher.
His descriptive examination recorded that his apparent age was 25 years 9 months, he was 5 feet 9½ inches in height, weighed 138lbs, had a chest measurement of between 36 and 38 inches, his complexion was described as fair, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was blond, his physical development was normal. He gave his religion as Church of England.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Taken on strength. Halifax. 24/3/15.
Embarked for France from Southampton. 25/4/15.
Joined. No.2 General Hospital. Le Treport. 26/4/15
Granted. 10 days leave. Le Treport. 22/10/16.
Re-joined. From leave. 4/11/16.
Promoted. Lance Corporal. 29/10/16.
Granted. Good Conduct Badge. 24/3/17.
Promoted. Corporal. 3/3/17.
Appointed. Lance Sergeant. 3/6/17.
Promoted. Sergeant. 5/8/17.
Promoted. Staff Sergeant. 1/10/17
Granted. 14 days leave. 15/12/17.
Re-joined. Unit. 2/1/18.
Granted. 10 days open leave, Paris. 8/10/18.
Re-joined. From leave. 23/10/18.
14 days leave. UK. 26/12/18.
Re-joined. From leave. 12/1/9.
Transferred. To England. 1/3/19.
S O S on proceeding to Canada sailing list No.44. Dispersal Area “B.” Shorncliffe. 15/4/19.
Embarked. Liverpool per SS Belgic. 16/4/19.
Disembarked. Halifax. 23/4/19.
S of S 6 D D and posted to disp. stab. S of S on discharge. Halifax. 23/4/19.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Algernon’s service record amounts to a total of 37 pages and these are in good condition and offer an accurate overall description of events that took place during his period of his military service.
Algernon’s Canadian Expeditionary Force Discharge Certificate recorded the following details: -No: 50927. Rank: Staff Sergeant. Full Name: Brown Algernon Bertram. Enlisted in: C. AM. C. At: Halifax, Nova Scotia. On the: 24th March 1915. He served in: C. AM. C., Halifax, France, No.2 Canadian General Hospital. And is discharged from the service by reason of: Demobilization.
Description of this soldier on the date below is as follows: - Age: 29. Height: 5’10½.” Complexion: Fair. Eyes: Grey. Hair: Light Brown. Marks or scars: Mole on top of left shoulder. Date of discharge: 1st May 1919.
War Service Badge Class “A” No: 309209.