Frederick Francis Brown (1891 - 1918)

Frank Brown was born at Sherbourne in Gloucestershire in 1891. He was the son of James Brown, a gamekeeper, and his wife, Mary Ann. By 1901 the family had moved to the Old Mill House, Glazeley, where James continued to work as a gamekeeper. By 1911 James had retired from gamekeeping and was now landlord of the Halfway House Inn at Eardington. After the war, James lived at the Bandon Arms Hotel, Bridgnorth.

Frank joined Machine Gun Corps. He rose to Lance Sergeant before being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 4th Squadron of the Machine Gun Corps (Cav). He died at No. 21 C.C.S., France, of bronchitis and pneumonia on 28th September, 1918.

Second Lieutenant Brown was awarded the Victory and British medals.

DEATH OF A LOCAL OFFICER
[Bridgnorth Journal, Saturday 19th October, 1918]
Mr James Brown, the Halfway House, near Bridgnorth, has received official intimation of the death of his eldest son, Lieut. Frank Brown, which took place in France. Prior to his death he was serving in a machine gun squadron. On September 14th he was admitted to hospital suffering from bronchitis, and, pneumonia supervening, he passed peacefully away on the 28th. His parents have received a most sympathetic letter from the officer commanding the squadron, from which the following is an extract: “I cannot express to you with what regret I write on behalf of the officers and men of this Squadron to offer you my deepest sympathy for the death of your son. I fear it must be a fearful shock to you, coming to you so suddenly and unexpectedly, as it was to all of us. He suffered no pain at any time, and had no knowledge himself that he was so ill. He was buried yesterday in the military cemetery at Gezaincourt, near Doullens. I took over the command of this Squadron las May, shortly after your son arrived, and I can honestly say I could not have wished for a nicer or better officer – he was always so keen and good at all his work, and most popular with all the officers and men. He is, I can assure you, a very great loss to this Squadron.” Much sympathy is felt in the neighbourhood for the parents, as the war has hit them hard. At Byzantin-le-Grand, in 1916, their two younger sons were severely wounded.