E Brown (1875 - 1918)

Edward Brown was baptised at St Leonard's on the 5th of December, 1875. He was the son of Edward Brown, malster, and his wife, Sarah. They lived on Riverside. Sarah died in 1882 and Edward senior remarried in the following year.

Edward followed his father into the brewing trade, becoming a malster's labourer. He married Martha Doley in Birmingham in 1898. The couple lived on Riverside and had four children.

Edward volunteered for the army in 1915. He was over 40, so he was placed on the reserve. He was mobilized in June 1916 and served at home with the 3rd (Garrison) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was sent to France in February 1918, joining the 17th Battalion in the field - just before the German Spring Offensive. He was killed in action on the 1st May, 1918.

Private Brown,315201, is buried in Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, Albert, on the Somme. He was awarded the Victory and British Medals. His death was reported in the Bridgnorth Journal of 25 May, 1918.

KILLED IN ACTION
[Bridgnorth Journal, Saturday 25th May, 1918]
Mrs Martha Brown, 34 Riverside, has received official notice that her husband, 315201 Private Edward Brown, D Co., 17th Batt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was killed in action in France on the 1st May; and Corpl. F. Jones, of the same company, in writing to Mrs. Brown, says: "Through his death we have lost one of the best men in our Section. He was always willing and cheerful at all times. I was with him at the time and I can assure you that he was killed instantaneously. Please accept my deepest sympathy, and also of all the men of the Section."