John Henry BROWN (1)

20 November 1914

ADDINGHAM - From the Front

Private Walter Emmott, who was a reservist of the 3rd Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, and now serving with the Expeditionary Force in France, writing to his wife under date November 9th, says he is fit and well. He has not received any letters from his wife for a long time. She has, however, sent about six parcels, letters and postcards. Emmott was the well-known captain of the Addingham football team. Other members of the team who are serving their country are Corporal J. H. Brown, late secretary; Drivers Fred Watts and W. Pocklington, of the 4th West Riding Howitzer Brigade; and Private J. Kettlewell, Kitchener's Army.

03 September 1915

THE LATE PRIVATE SPENCER

Mr. and Mrs. John Spencer, of Bolton Road, Addingham, have received the following letter from Private Tim McCarthy in respect to the death of their son, Private Frank Spencer, 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, who has succumbed to wounds received in action.

"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Spencer, - It is with deep regret I am writing this letter to you. I am sorry to tell you the wounds Frank received that I told mother to tell you about have proved fatal. He died on the 12th of August. I can assure you that Frank had a peaceful end, and he was respectfully laid to rest. I hope and trust that you will bear it well, for you know that he gave his life for a great and honourable cause. Frank was well liked amongst all the men. I will send you his prayer book and a few letters he had in a few days. I quite realise it is hard to bear, but it is God's will. I am quite sure he will be happy from this world's sorrow and trials.

"From your sincere friend, Tim."

McCarthy, who was an Ilkley young man, was with Spencer when he received his wound. Eight Addingham men have now given their lives for their King and Country. Frank was a playing member of the local football team, and he is the second member of the team to play his last great game, the previous one being the late Lance-Corporal W. Emmett, who was the captain. Other members of the team who are serving are:- J. H. Brown (secretary), W. Gale (treasurer and vice-captain), W. Brown, G. Gale and F. Watts are in the Wharfedale Howitzers; J. Kettlewell, Hy. Wade and G. Strickland are with Kitchener's Army; A. Holmes, W. Ettenfield and T. Wade are serving in the Leeds Engineers.

16 February 1917

ADDINGHAM - SOLDIERS' LETTERS

Pte. T. Ashton writes:- "I met a good few Addingham lads at the base. The battalion we reinforced is about 40 miles behind the line for a few weeks' rest, getting ready for the spring I expect. Our billet is a small barn and out here it is considered a decent place. It has done nothing but freeze out here for a fortnight."

Other letters and postcards acknowledging receipt of parcels have been received from:- Sergt. Jack Brown; Pte. W. Burke; Harry Town; J. Parkinson; N. Ryder; F. W. Sutcliffe and C. Smith.

23 March 1917

ADDINGHAM - SERGEANT J. H. BROWN KILLED IN ACTION

We regret to announce the death of Sergt. John Henry Brown, eldest son of Mr. T. Brown, 42, Main Street, Addingham, killed in action in France on March 13th. The sad news was received in a letter to Mrs. W. Gale, of the Swan Hotel, from her husband, who was a friend of deceased and served with him. He wrote as follows:- "I am writing this letter with a sad heart. Just prepare yourself for some bad news. I am sorry to have to write it, but I suppose it must be done. John Henry Brown was killed this morning at 12 o'clock noon. He and the Captain were standing together. The Capt. was not hurt but poor Jack never spoke again; he was practically dead when we picked him up. Poor lad, he would never know he had been hit. We are burying him tomorrow in an English cemetery and a Chaplain will be there."

In a later letter he says:- "We buried him and made a cross for his grave. I am waiting for the cross lettering and then I am going to fix it on the poor lad's grave. We had quite a nice burial."

Sergt. Brown was 27 years of age. He was a member of the Wharfedale Howitzer Volunteer Corps, and was in camp in Wales when the War broke out and was engaged in training men for the Front until he went out to France on January 7th of this year. His time expired 2 months ago, but he signed on again for the duration of the War. Deceased was very well known throughout Wharfedale by his association with the Addingham Trinity Football Club, for whom he acted as secretary and delegate to the Association meetings. He was also a member of the Addingham Brass Band. He has two bothers serving in France. He leaves a widow and one child to mourn his loss.

30 March 1917

ADDINGHAM - MORE NEWS FROM THE BOYS

Mr. Flint has received the following letters:-

Pte. W. Gale writes:- "I am writing with a sad heart as I have lost my best pal, Jack Harry Brown. Poor lad, he was stood doing his duty when one of Fritz's got him. He never spoke; his death was practically instantaneous. We buried him yesterday and he had a good Christian funeral with the Chaplain there to read the Burial Service. Fitter C. Smith and I attended the funeral, and I was badly cut up as he was one of the best and proved himself a real good fellow here, and he was well liked by all in the battery, both officers, N.C.O.s and men, and it cast a gloom over us all when he fell. I suppose you have got a rumour going that we are all wiped out, but don't you believe it; we are very much alive, as I think old Fritz will know by now."

A memorial service for the late Sergt. Brown was held at the Wesleyan Church on Sunday morning where there was a large gathering. The preacher was Mr. J. E. Atack, who took for his subject 'Bear ye one another's burdens' and 'Each man shall bear his own burden'. Suitable hymns were sung and the organist, Mr. R. Steel, played 'O rest in the Lord' and at the close of the service the Dead March in 'Saul'. Sergt. Brown was an old Sunday School scholar.

20 April 1917

ADDINGHAM - NEWS FROM THE 'BOYS'

Pte. A. Stapleton writes [to Mr. Flint]:- "Your parcels to hand which I shared amongst the other boys, who all wished to thank you and the people at home for their kindness. Alfred Tiffany said I had to tell you he was in the pink; he is servant to the Major. I keep coming across some of the boys from the old village; had Harry Spencer to see me a fortnight ago and J. Hillbeck this week. Sorry to say the village has lost another of its boys - J.H. Brown was killed in the village we are staying in two days before we landed."

15 March 1918

BROWN - In loving memory of Sergeant J. H. Brown, killed in action in France, March 13th, 1917.

We little thought when we said goodbye
We were parted for ever and you were to die,
But the unknown grave is the bitterest blow
None but the aching heart can know.
Some may think that I forget you
When they sometimes see me smile,
But they little know the sorrow
That the smile hides all the while.

From Wife and Child, Hilly Bank, Addingham, Ilkley, March 13th, 1918.