Christopher Wilkinson BROWN

19 March 1915

EMBSAY - ROLL OF HONOUR

Word was received in the village on Monday that Lieut. C.W. Brown, youngest son of the Rev. C.V. Brown, Vicar of St. Mary's, Embsay, had received a scalp wound in the fighting at Neuve Chapelle, France, and is now in the Research Hospital at Hull. He is reported to be making satisfactory progress and hopes to be home shortly. Lieut. Brown took an honours degree in the historical tripos last June, and received a commission in the 3rd Royal Scots Fusiliers on the outbreak of the war. He has been with his regiment in France since January.

11 June 1915

VICAR OF EMBSAY'S THREE SONS

Dr. C. Suffield Brown, eldest son of the Vicar of Embsay, has joined the West Riding Field Ambulance, 2nd 1st, and is in training at Thorsby, Ollerton, Notts. All the vicar's sons are now in the service of their King and Country. Sub Lieut. J.V. Brown, R.N.R., is serving on H.M.S. Topaz; Second Lieut. C.W. Brown, who was wounded at Neuve Chapelle, has been gazetted Lieut. Royal Scots Fusiliers, and at present is attached to the Seaforth Highlanders at the Front. Their cousin, A.K. Brown, recently came over from Shanghai, China, and enlisted in the West Yorkshire Regiment, but since he has received a commission in the Suffolk Regiment. Second Lieut. A.K. Brown is the third son of the late Captain A.V. Brown of the Mercantile Marine, who was in the service of the Kochion Transportation and Tow Boat Co., and refloated the Hamburg Amerika Liner Brisgavia, which ran ashore during the fog off the Triplets, outside Woosung in December 1909. This was a somewhat remarkable feat, and is a good illustration of British resourcefulness and the failure of the German brute force, for when the Brisgavia went aground the late German cruiser, Scharnhorst, which was sunk in the naval engagement off the Falkland Islands, assisted by several tug boats, tried in vain by force to get her off. When this frightful effort had been abandoned, Captain A.V. Brown, who had been on the scene, proposed to the Kochion Transportation and Tow Boat Co., a plan for refloating the Brisgavia, which was accepted. With the able assistance of Mr. McMordo of the New Engineering and Shipbuilding Co., Captain A.V. Brown proceeded to the scene of action with two small tug boats, Shun Yune and Shun Fang, and after taking out the cargo of the Brisgavia and filling her forecastle with water, and by a careful arrangement of anchors holding the Brisgavia in position, and taking advantage of wind and tide, succeeded with his two tug boats in getting her off with very little damage.

12 May 1916

BROWN - April 30, killed in action, Christopher Wilkinson Brown, Royal Scots Fusiliers, aged 24, youngest son of the Rev. C. V. Brown and Mrs. Brown, Embsay Vicarage, Skipton, and grandson of the late Mr. J.R. Wilkinson Esq., of Burnside, Skipton.

12 May 1916

VICAR OF EMBSAY'S SON KILLED

Great grief was expressed in Embsay and district on Friday last when it became known that a message had been received from the War Office announcing the death of Lieut. Christopher Wilkinson Brown, who was killed in action in France on April 30th. Lieut. Christopher W. Brown was the youngest son of the Rev. C. V. and Mrs. Brown, of Embsay Vicarage, and grandson of the late Mr. J.R. Wilkinson, of Burnside, Skipton. He was born at Embsay Vicarage on November 15th 1892, and was educated at the Skipton and Pocklington Grammar Schools. At Pocklington he gained a Dolman Exhibition, tenable at St. John's College, Cambridge. He entered St. John's College in October, 1911, and three years later took honours in the Historical Tripos. On the outbreak of war he at once volunteered for service, and was given a commission as Second Lieutenant in the Special Reserve of Officers, and was eventually gazetted to the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was wounded at Neuve Chapelle on March 12th 1915, and again at Hooge on September 25th 1915. He was promoted lieutenant in the summer of 1915, and at the time of his death was in command of a company.

Lieut. Brown was well known and highly respected in Skipton and district, where his kind and genial disposition made him very popular. Rev. C. V. Brown's two remaining sons are also serving their country. Capt. Charles Suffield Brown, R.A.M.C., in the West Yorkshire Division, and Lieut. John Vernon Brown, R.N.R. on H.M S. Topaz.

A memorial service was held in St. Mary' Parish Church on Sunday morning, when special hymns were sung and the flag was flown at half-mast on the church tower. A large congregation assembled to show their respect and sympathy with the Vicar and his family in their sad and sudden bereavement. Through the kindness of the Ven. Archdeacon Cook, Rev. W. M. Lister, curate at the Skipton Parish Church, took the morning and evening services.

On Tuesday morning a letter was received from Lieut. Brown's commanding officer, stating with great regret that Lieut. C. Wilkinson Brown was killed in the performance of his duties in the trenches about midnight on the 30th of April. The letter continues: "He was setting a fine example of fearlessness to his men at the time, and died instantaneously. He was buried in the cemetery at -----, the service being conducted by the Church of England chaplain." His Commanding Officer continues:- "May I add that we are all very sorry to lose a good officer and a brave comrade; and that we beg to be allowed to offer you our very sincere sympathy."

14 December 1917

FOUNDER'S DAY AT SKIPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL

A Fifteenth Century Foundation - War Memorial Proposed

COMMEMORATION SERVICE

Wednesday's proceedings were opened with a service in commemoration not only of the founders and benefactors of the school but also of the gallant men who formerly passed through the school and who had given their lives for their country in the present war. The service was conducted by the headmaster (Rev. F.G. Forder) in the big school and there was a good attendance of old boys and others interested in the school. The names of the fallen heroes are as follows:- 2nd Lieut. T.B. Bellamy, Captain C.D. Bennett, 2nd Lieut. T.D. Broughton, Captain C.W. Brown, Gunner Philip Brown, Corporal H.S. Caw, Sergt. J. Cockerill, 2nd Lieut. H. Colley (master), Major M.E. Cookson, 2nd Lieut. E.G. Goodman, 2nd Lieut. F.H. Gill, Private W. Hartley, Rifleman W.M. Jowett, Lieut. H. Knowles, 2nd Lieut. C.H. Lee (master), 2nd Lieut. J.C. McIntyre, Captain J.B. McKay, Lance-Corporal A.J. Metcalfe, J.H. [E.] Metcalfe, Private E. Platt, Private C.T.W. Rigby, 2nd Lieut. W.A. Rodwell, Sergt. A.F. Ryder, Lieut. E.J.C. Supple (master), Private F. Thornton, Rifleman H. Tindall, Sergt. H. Walker, Gunner Herbert Watson, 2nd Lieut. Alec Wilson, Private Cameron Wilson, 2nd Lieut. Ian Wilson.

Among the old boys who have gained distinctions are the following:- Military Cross, Second-Lieutenant J.G. Berry, Second-Lieutenant J.B. Hartley, Captain J.T. Hurst, Lieut. P. Jowett, Lieut. J. Petty, and Capt. T.B. Pollard (master); Distinguished Conduct Medal, Corpl. W.A. Murgatroyd; Mentioned in Despatches, Lieut. J. Pethybridge, Capt. Allan Wilson, and many others.