Name
John William Brown
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
M 16237
Royal Navy
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
NA
Biography
John Brown was first identified in the Absent Voter Records for Abbots Langley for Autumn 1918, Spring 1919, and Autumn 1919 where his address was given at Nash Mills. Further information about John was found in the UK Royal Navy Registers of Seamens’ Service. He did not appear in any other Parish records.
John Brown was born on 2nd September 1894 at Watford. He was one of ten children born to Charles and Sarah Brown. In the 1911 Census the family lived at 34 Harwood Road, Watford. Charles, James and his brother Charles (junior) all worked as Carmen.
When he joined for service with the Royal Navy on 2nd November 1915 John’s occupation was shown as Carpenter/Joiner. He initially served at HMS “Victory”, a shore base, and on 24th November 1915 he was transferred to HMS “Fisguard” (without an “h”),a shore base at Chatham which specialised in the training of engineers. From 31st May 1916 to 15th February 1919 he served aboard HMS “Queen Elizabeth”, a Dreadnought Class Battleship, and part of the British Grand Fleet. On the day that John joined HMS “Queen Elizabeth”, the 31st May 1916, the Grand Fleet went into battle with the German High Seas Fleet on the North Sea, in the Battle of Jutland. However HMS “Queen Elizabeth” did not take part in this action. It had returned from service at Gallipoli, and was at Scapa Flow having a defective turbine repaired.
HMS “Queen Elizabeth” re-joined the Grand Fleet and was engaged in routine patrols of the North Sea for the rest of the War. John Brown was sent for dispersal on 18th January 1919, and was demobilised on 15th February 1919.
John Brown survived the War.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
