Philip BROWN

24 March 1916

CRAVEN AND THE WAR - Honour for the Howitzers

Bombardier Philip Brown, who has just received his first stripe, writing to a friend at Addingham from Heytesbury, Wilts., where he is training with the 3rd 4th West Riding Howitzer Brigade, R.F.A., says:-"We have been inspected by Major General Braithwaite, the general commanding our division. He asked the colonel commanding the artillery in the division to let him see the best brigade in the division at work in gunnery and driving, and the colonel singled out our brigade of the Wharfedale lads as the best brigade in the division. He inspected our horses and harness, and was highly pleased with them for their cleanliness and smartness."

11 May 1917

ADDINGHAM SOLDIER BADLY BURNT

Mr. T. Brown, of 42, Main Street, Addingham, received a telegram on Friday morning last stating that his son, Philip Brown, serving with the R.F.A. in France, was dangerously wounded, suffering from burns about his face and hands. Lieut. A. E. Hart of the R.F.A., writes:- "It is with regret that I have to inform you that your son was wounded last night. He was standing to his gun ready to open fire when a Boche shell hit the limber and exploded the ammunition, and your son was rather badly burnt about his face and hands. He has, however, retained his sight. He was rescued and taken to the dressing station, where he was given proper attention. He was then taken to hospital by ambulance. He was brave throughout out it all, never complaining. I sincerely hope he will recover health and strength. I expect you will hear from him about the time you get my letter."

Bdr. F.J. Seddon also writes:- "I am writing these few lines on behalf of Philip, who I am sorry to say was wounded last evening. He was with four others in the gun pit when a shell came right on the gun and set a light to the charge. Philip and another were burnt on the face and hands, and the three others were killed. I took him down to the dressing station. I don't think he had any wounds of any description but the burns, and he was dressed by the doctor and sent on an ambulance to another dressing station. where he would get proper treatment. I sincerely hope he will get on all right."

Brown was employed as clerk at the Yorkshire Penny Bank, Keighley, previous to joining up, and was a member of the Addingham Wesleyan choir and secretary of the Sunday School. His many friends will wish him a speedy recovery.

18 May 1917

BROWN - Died as a result of burns, May 11th, Gunner Philip Brown, of the R.F.A., son of Mr. T. Brown, of 42, Main Street, Addingham.

18 May 1917

ADDINGHAM SOLDIER DIES FROM BURNS

We regret to announce that Mr. T. Brown, 42, Main Street, Addingham, has received official notification that his son, Gunner Philip Brown, died on May 11th, as the result of burns received on hands and face, as reported last week. The news of his death came as a great shock not only to his father but to all his many friends, by whom he was held in high esteem. By the same post that the news of his death came, Mr. Brown received a letter, written at the dictation of his son, of a most cheerful nature. Writing on his behalf, Rifleman A.L. Brown, 13th Rifle Brigade, says.:-

"As you will be aware I am now in hospital suffering from severe burns caused by the explosion of an ammunition dump. One of the fellows in my section has already gone to Blighty, but was not so bad as I, but I am expecting to be there in a few days time. One of the orderlies is writing this for me, as I am unable to write it myself. Hoping you are going on well dad, and don't fret over me, as I shall soon be home again to see you all. So cheer up dad, and good-bye for the present." The orderly adds:- "Cheer up, Mr. Brown, he is going on well and bearing the pain like a man."

Gunner Brown was one of Addingham's most promising young men, and his loss will be greatly felt. It is only eight weeks ago since Mr. Brown's eldest son, Sergt. J. H. Brown, was killed in France, and the sympathy of all will go out to him in his sad bereavement. He has also another son with the R.F.A. in France.

1 June 1917

ADDINGHAM - MEMORIAL SERVICE

A memorial service for the late Gunner P. Brown was held in the Wesleyan Church on Sunday evening last, and was conducted by Rev. J.G. Benson, resident minister. The members of the Addingham platoon of the 20th Battalion West Riding Volunteers attended the service in full force, and after a list of the names of the Addingham lads who had fallen in the war, numbering 31, had been read, the 'Last Post' was sounded.

After a reference to the services the late Philip Brown had rendered to the church, of which he was a member, to his high character and the esteem in which he was held by all who knew him, the minister preached from the text "We would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep, that ye sorrow not even as the rest, which have no hope," and "Christ Jesus, Who abolished death and brought life and incorruption to light through gospel." Relief of sorrow, he said, comes by the vision of immortality, and that relief Christianity brings. Christianity had a message for those who mourned the loss of loved ones, a message of hope and comfort and immortality to the stricken heart. It brought man's life into tough with eternity. The hope of immortality transformed sorrow, enlarged the heart, and ennobled the life. It gave the sure hope that loved ones were not lost but were in safe keeping. The life of heaven began here in those who knew Christ and when the Christian fell on the field of battle his life was not spilt like his blood, his soul was intact.

Matter underwent great change, but the real self was safe in God's keeping. Death did not end life. Such a thought was unbearable; as Tennyson said "We are men born to higher things." Our bodies passed but our souls continued to exist. Before Christ men were groping in the dark, making guesses, entertaining hopes. Christ brought immortality to light. The law of gravitation existed before Newton, but he brought it to light. Man was immortal before Christ came, but he brought immortality to light, turning guesswork into a sure and certain hope, making death radiant with the hope of immortality. Now we knew that those who, like their departed friend, had this hope, were with the Lord. But what about those whom the apostle spoke of as the rest who were without hope? They must be careful how they interpreted this. He did not say there was no hope, but that "they have no hope," no uncertainty as to their future state. A great many to-day were in this state, full of doubt, without a sure and certain hope. But the prospect of annihilation was unbearable to the human heart. To whom then must they turn for light? They could not turn to science. "This life to become like the ashes of a spent forest." To whom then must they turn for light? They could not turn be science. This was beyond its scope. The poets came nearer, they dealt with the heart. Christ's message was wider than they have been accustomed to think. They have not realised what God really was. "God is love." They knew the worth of sacrifice, its cleansing, ennobling, uplifting power, and they were redeemed by it. How for did the making of the supreme sacrifice bring men into the scope of the redeeming sacrifice? Those who had the Christian's hope they knew to be with Christ, but what of the rest? Had they no door of hope? God was their Father, and this they safely say - the best was probable and not the worst. "My soul, hope thou in God." In this truly tragic time they turned to God, and though their progress slow the future would bring them to the realisation of the vision of the poet who saw the world at the feet of Jesus.

There was a crowded congregation, and Mr . R. Steel played 'O rest in the Lord' and the 'Dead march' in 'Saul' on the organ.

22 June 1917

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS LETTERS

Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels sent out:-

Pte. Harry Hudson, of the Cameron Highlanders, writes:- "Thanks for parcel. I had no idea there were so many of the boys from the village who had paid the supreme sacrifice until I saw the paper. I was sorry to hear that Harry Town and Philip Brown had died of wounds. I received your parcel in the trenches, where I am writing this letter, and as soon as old Fritz had quietened down with his shelling I went over to the river and got water, boiled it, and made some good tea which the gun team enjoyed very much. Our artillery has a very hot time of it now, and machine guns too. I have been within half an hour's walk of Syd. Hadley, but sorry to say I didn't know until it was too late."

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.