Douglas James Brown (1887 - 1916)

Jack Brown was Killed in Action during World War I.

Biography

Early Life

Jack was born in 1887 ^[1] . He was the second son of John Brown and Sarah Cox. His birth was recorded in the Cox family bible.

Jack grew up at Apsley. His mother died when he was thirteen. Later, his father remarried to Jack's aunt Esther. Initially he helped his father with farm work.

Later, Jack became a blacksmith. According to his attestation papers he spent 1 1/2 years with the A.A.Regiment in New Norfolk.

Military Service

At some point he travelled to Maryborough, Queensland where he joined the military.

Jack joined the military on the 1st September 1914. His name was recorded as John Brown, which was his father's name, probably because he gave his name as 'Jack Brown'. He was promoted to temporary corporal on 12 August 1915 and to corporal on 23rd September the same year.

Jack embarked with his regiment from Brisbane on the SS Omrah on 24th September 1914.

Jack traveled to Alexandria on the 'Ionian' in March 1915 as part of the Gallipoli Campaign. Somewhere here was his nephew Les. He sent a postcard home in June saying 'Have not seen Les lately' so clearly he was not aware that Les had been killed.

On 27th March 1916 Doug left Mudros with his troop on the 'Grampion'. They disembarked at Alexandria on 1st April 1916. Two days later he was on board the 'Saxonia' headed for Marseilles where he disembarked on 3rd April 1916.

Killed In Action

Jack was killed in action in France on 25th July 1916. He was buried at Pozieres in British Cemetery Plot 4 Row V.

His belongings were sent home to the family, consisting of an identity disc, a metal mirror, a wallet, 3 notebooks, and a gospel of St Luke. A second package contained 2 handkerchiefs, postcards and letters, card game, razer strap, Turkish bullets, 2 brushes and a gift tin.

His father signed the receipt for his belongings with his mark.

TASMANIA

TASMANIAN LOSSES^[2]

Official notification has been received that Corporal Douglas Brown, 9th Battalion, has been killed in action near France. Corporal Brown was a son of Mr John Brown, of Den Hill, Bothwell, and enlisted in Queensland. He was generally known as Jack Brown.

The deepest sympathy is felt for his parents by the people of Bothwell.

ROLL OF HONOUR.^[3]

BROWN. -In loving memory of our dearly beloved brother, Corporal Douglas (Jack), who gave his life for King and Country on July 25 1916, somewhere in France.

Only a scream through the night as a warning,
Only a bursting shell ; Naught but duty, death ever scorning,
Ended so nobly well.
Only a mound on the hill in the dawning,
Marked by a wooden cross;
Naught but a name in the list of the morning,
Telling of someone's loss,
Only a home in the land of his breeding,
Only some heart laid bare;
Only a grief that the world is unheeding,
Only a vacant chair.

Inserted by his sorrowing sisters, Louisa and Jane Brown, Apsley.

From the AIF website ^[4]

Roll of Honour - John Brown

Also known as:

Douglas James Brown Service number: 568

Rank: Corporal

Unit: 9th Battalion (Infantry)

Service: Australian Army

Conflict: 1914-1918

Date of death: 25 July 1916

Place of death: France

Cause of death: Killed in action

Cemetery or memorial details: Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France

Source: AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army

Postcards From Doug

Apsley was a small village where everyone knew each other. Doug's nephew Les joined the army, as did neighbour Hector Rose, Cecil Wright and Tom of unknown surname.

Letters and cards were sent to family in Kempton who lived conveniently near the postal agency. 'Mother' was Doug's stepmother, Esther.

---

1915 Add: Mrs J Reading, Kempton, Tasmania, Australia ***ON ACTIVE SERVICE***

Dear Mother,
A line or two to let you know I am alright. I saw Les the other day, he is quite well. Remember me to all.
From Doug

---

Add: Mrs J Reading, Parke, Apsley, Tasmania DATE UNCLEAR

From Greece --- ................. but it is a wonder I have not seen him. I dropped you a PC to your old address a few days before this so you may get the lot at once. Goodbye from your ever truly brother, D Brown

---

Address: Mrs L Reading, c/- Mrs J Wylie Apsley ***ON ACTIVE SERVICE***

Mrs L Reading, Just a quick PC hoping you are and family are quite well and that this PC may find you. I am in good order and still kicking. and be back for a good time for next XMAS I hope. Yours truly, brother D Brown (from Athens)

---

16 Jun 1915 ***ON ACTIVE SERVICE***

Dear Mother, A few lines to let you know I am quite well. Have not seen Les lately. We are some distance apart. Hope to see him soon. Hope this will find you all well at home, it is summer here and very warm at times. Can't get writing material at present.

From D B

---

UNDATED

Dear Jack,
You can tell Elt that Cecil Wright a returned soldier was with Leslie Reading when he was killed on Quinion Post just a short time after they landed on Gallipoli. He was a Kempton boy and went with Les when he went and was the last one to stay with him when he died.

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Sources

Postcards from Doug in possession of family member
AIF website https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/index.html
Cox family bible
Tasmanian Birth registration 861/1887

Footnotes

1. ↑ Civil birth registration RGD33/1/66 no 861 https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD33-1-66$init=RGD33-1-66p497j2k
2. ↑ "TASMANIA." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 16 Aug 1916: 5. Web. 17 Mar 2014 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1033121>.
3. ↑ "Family Notices." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 25 Jul 1917: 1. Web. 17 Mar 2014 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1081691>.
4. ↑ https://www.awm.gov.au/research/people/roll_of_honour/person.asp?p=519503

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Irene Dillon for creating Brown-22802 on 25 Sep 13. Click the Changes tab for the details on contributions by Irene and others.