Main CPGW Record
Surname: BROWNSWORTH
Forename(s): Shearing
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: 12701
Rank: Regimental Sergeant-Major
Regiment / Corps / Service: Leicestershire Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 7th (Service) Battalion
Division: 21st Division
Age: 43
Date of Death: 1917-11-05
Awards: M.I.D.
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: I. L. 51.
CWGC Cemetery: VOORMEZEELE ENCLOSURES NO.1 AND NO.2
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Shearing Brownsworth was the son of David and Sophia Brownsworth, née Fowler and brother of 2nd Lieutenant Edmund Arthur Brownsworth (q.v.). Their father was born at Birkenhead, Cheshire and mother at Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire.
1881 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 19, Otley Street - Shearing Brownsworth, aged 7 years, born Skipton, son of David and Sophia Brownsworth.
1911 Madras, India Census: 2nd Bn Leicestershire Regiment, Fort Saint George - Colour Sergeant Shearing Brownsworth, aged 38 years, born Bradford, Yorkshire.
Shearing was married to Florence Elizabeth Frances Carroll in 1915.
The British Army Service Record for Shearing Brownsworth exists but may be incomplete (see 'Comment on this Soldier Record' below).
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: C.S.Mjr., WO Class 1 Shearing Brownsworth, 12701, Leic. R. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 29.7.15. K. in A. 5.11.17.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Co. Sergt-Maj (Act/Regtl. Serjt-Maj.) S. Brownsworth, 12701, Leicestershire Regt. (Service Btn.). M.I.D., L.G., 15.6.16. Page 5940.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: W. O. CL1 Shearing Brownsworth, 12701, 7/Leics R.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: R. Sgt. M. Shearing Brownsworth, 12701, 7th S Bn Leicester. Date and Place of Death: 5.11.17. Suicide while temporarily insane. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Florence. £40 18s. 6d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: Warrant Officer Class I. Rank: R.S.M. Shearing Brownsworth, 12701, 7th Leicester. Date and cause of death: 5.11.17. Wounds self inflicted whilst temporarily insane due to disease aggravated by Active Service. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Florence Elizabeth, born 29.12.85. Address: 100, Manor Street, Clapham, London S.W.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
BROWNSWORTH, Regimental Sergeant Major Shering, Leicester Regt., eldest son of Mrs. Brownsworth, of Southport, and of the late Mr. D. Brownsworth of Skipton, killed in action, France, 1917.
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Regimental Sergeant-Major Shearing BROWNSWORTH
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Leicestershire Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 21st Division
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Waltonwrays Cemetery, Skipton
Family gravestone
Waltonwrays Cemetery, Skipton
Family gravestone - detail of memorial inscription
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10 December 1915
THREE SKIPTON BROTHERS RECEIVE COMMISSIONS
Mr. David Alexander Brownsworth, son of the late Mr. David Brownsworth, artist, and Mrs. Brownsworth, of Skipton, has recently been granted a commission in the 10th East Lancashire Regiment. He is the third son of Mrs. Brownsworth to receive a commission; the others being Captain Walter Fowler Brownsworth, 4th Light Horse Brigade, Australian Expeditionary Force; and Lieut. Edmund Arthur Brownsworth, 1st Leicestershires, who has recently been promoted from Second-Lieutenant, his commission being originally granted for meritorious service in the field. Another son, Battalion Sergt.-Major Shearing Brownsworth, is also serving in Flanders.
30 November 1917
SKIPTON'S ROLL OF HONOUR - REG.-SERGT.- MAJOR BROWNSWORTH KILLED
We regret to hear of the death in France of Regimental Sergeant Major Shearing Brownsworth, Leicester Regiment, eldest son of Mrs. Brownsworth, of Southport, and the late Mr. David Brownsworth, artist, of Skipton.
Regimental Sergeant Major Brownsworth was a native of Skipton, but at quite an early age decided to adopt soldiering as a profession. He was a fine athlete, and after passing brilliantly through the Army gymnastic instructor's course at Aldershot he was sent out to the first battalion of his regiment in South Africa. Trouble with the Boers was then brewing, and he, amongst the small force who, under General Symonds, were attacked in the first action of the war at Laing's Nek, was forced by superior numbers to retire to Ladysmith. He was a born fighter, and for his services during the long defence of Ladysmith was mentioned in despatches and recommended for distinction. He fought through the whole campaign without receiving a scratch.
The rest of his 21 years' service in the Regular Army was served in various parts of India, and in 1913 he retired with the rank of Colour Sergeant and a pension. Although well over military age, he volunteered for active service as soon as the present war broke out, and for about twelve months helped to train some of the new formations. With one of them he went to France about two years ago and has made the great sacrifice.
He leaves a widow but no family. With her and Mrs. Brownsworth, senr., whose sons have shown such a fine spirit of patriotism, the greatest sympathy will be felt. The youngest son, Lieut. Edmund A. Brownsworth, Leicester Regiment, was killed in France only eighteen months ago, and a third son, Lieut. David Brownsworth, who is now Adjutant of a prisoner's camp in Egypt, has been permanently incapacitated for active service since the first year of the war. A fourth son, Major Walter Fowler Brownsworth, M.C., Deputy Assistant Adjutant General to one of the Australian Divisions, is still in France.
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30 November 1917
BROWNSWORTH - Killed in action in France, Regimental Sergt.-Major Shearing Brownsworth, eldest son of Mrs. Brownsworth, of Southport, and of the late Mr. D. Brownsworth, of Skipton
30 November 1917
REGIMENTAL SERGEANT-MAJOR S. BROWNSWORTH KILLED
Local residents will regret to hear of the death in France of Regimental-Sergt.-Major Shearing Brownsworth, of the Leicester Regiment, eldest son of Mrs. Brownsworth, of Southport, and of the late Mr. David Brownsworth, artist, of Skipton.
Sergt.-Major Brownsworth was a native of Skipton, but, at quite an early age decided to adopt soldiering as a profession. He was a fine athlete, and after passing brilliantly through the army gymnastic instructor's course at Aldershot, he was sent out to the first battalion of his regiment in South Africa. Trouble with the Boers was then brewing, and he was amongst the small force who under General Symonds were attacked in the first action of the war at Laings Nek and forced by superior numbers to retire to Ladysmith. He was a born fighter, and for his services during the long defence of Ladysmith he was mentioned in despatches and recommended for distinction. He fought through the whole campaign without receiving a scratch.
The rest of his 21 years' service in the regular army was served in various parts of India, and in 1913 he retired with the rank of Colour-Sergeant and a pension. Although well over military age, he volunteered for active service as soon as the present war broke out, and for about twelve months helped to train some of the new formations. With one of them he went to France about two years ago, and has made the great sacrifice.
He leaves a widow, but no family. With her and Mrs. Brownsworth, senr., whose sons have shown such a fine spirit of patriotism, the greatest sympathy will be felt. The youngest son, Lieut. Edmund A. Brownsworth, Leicester Regiment, was killed in France eighteen months ago, and a third son. Lieut. David Brownsworth, who is now adjutant of a prisoners camp in Egypt, was permanently incapacitated for active service during the first year of the war. A fourth son, Major Walter Fowler Brownsworth. M.C., Deputy Assistant Adjutant General to one of the Australian Divisions, is still in France.
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A typed transcript of the enquiry into RSM Brownsworth’s death (deemed suicide) in 1917 can be found incorrectly filed in the Attestation papers of Richard Ewart Pepper STIMPSON 12697 6th Leicestershire Regt. died in a training accident in France on 18 September 1915.