William Lionel Gerald Brown (1900-1918)
Pupil-teacher at Rosa Street School, Spennymoor, killed in action in September 1918
William Lionel Gerald Brown was born in Boosbeck in the ironstone mining area of North Yorkshire on 26 January 1900, the son of Thomas and Susannah Brown. In 1901 he and his father and mother were still living in Boosbeck, at 40 Gerrie Street, with his mother’s sister, Dorothy Hall, and Dorothy’s daughter, Elizina. Interestingly, although his male neighbours all described themselves as ironstone miners, Thomas was listed in the 1901 census as a coal miner (hewer). Although Thomas had been born in Scarborough, it is possible that he had worked in Durham before 1901, as Susannah had been born in Sunderland.
By 1903 the Brown family had moved to Spennymoor, as in the 1911 census William has three siblings, the oldest of whom, Douglas (aged 8), had been born in the town. On the census form William was described as ‘Gerald Brown’, and at this time the family were living at 24 Stratton Street (where they had been living since at least 1906).
Thomas was working in one of the local collieries as a hewer.
William received his early education at Spennymoor Rosa Street Council Boys School. He started there on 13 August 1906, under the name of ‘Gerald Brown’, and left on 3 July 1912 to go to Spennymoor Higher Elementary School. From 1 August 1916 he was appointed as a pupil teacher at his old primary school.
The school log book records that appointment; however, it also records that William began work as a pupil teacher on Wednesday 30 May 1917.
At the end of September 1917 William, and the other pupil-teacher, Robert Dennison, were absent for a day to go to Newcastle ‘to be examined for military service’, and in early October William was absent for medical examinations prior to his call-up. His call-up was recorded on Monday 28 January 1918, but there appears to be no mention in the log book of William’s death.
William’s leave of absence to join the army is noted by the Education Committee in May 1918, but, by then he had enlisted, by which time the family had moved to 78 South Street in Spennymoor. He was initially appointed to the 53rd (Young Soldiers) Training Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, at Rugeley Camp (with the number 5/170687), but was transferred to another training unit, the 51st (Graduated) Battalion on 19 April 1918. Men were urgently needed on the Western Front following the German Spring offensive and he was sent to France on 15 August 1918. On 31 August he was posted to the 2/5th Battalion of the West Riding Regiment with the number 35153. After 29 days in France he was killed in action on 12 September and is buried in Ruyaulcourt Military Cemetery, east of Bapaume and south-west of Cambrai.
A letter from William’s mother is held with his army records. In February 1919 she wrote that we have had nothing but trouble since our boy was killed in fact his father as not worked this last 4 months. Our boy would have other 3 articles on him when he was killed, a small silver wristlet watch, a gold ring and pocket knife and if they have been forwarded to you send them on as they were keepsakes. It came such a shock to us we have not got over it yet. They were told they would be at the base till they were 19 and we have got nothing from government from him joining up. Do you think I am due to a pension if so let me know how to get it or where to apply.
William was the youngest of all the men listed on the County Hall memorial, and had one of the shortest periods in France. His death was noted in the Education Committee minutes in January 1919, and is recorded on the Spennymoor Cenotaph in Cheapside, the town’s book of remembrance, the roll of honour for Spennymoor St. Paul’s church, and the Spennymoor and District Teachers’ Association roll of honour.
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-19 CD
Medal Rolls Index Cards
North East War Memorials Project website
Durham County Council Education Committee minute book, CC/A26/1/28, pp.22, 81-82
1901 Census return, RG 13/4567, f.107r, p.25
1911 Census return, RG 14/29731, schedule 279
Spennymoor Rosa Street Council Boys School logbook, E/WC 86, pp.171,176,179-180,182
Spennymoor Rosa Street Council Boys School admission register, E/WC/F38
British Army World War I Service Records, TNA WO 383 William L.G. Brown
Civil Parish: Whitworth
Birth date: 26-Jan-1900
Death date: 12-Sep-1918
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 40 Gerrie Street, Boosbeck
78 South Street, Spennymoor
24 Stratton Street, Spennymoor
Education: Spennymoor Rosa Street Council Boys School
Spennymoor Higher Elementary School
Employment: Pupil teacher: Spennymoor Rosa Street Council Boys School.
Family: Parents: Thomas and Susannah Brown.
Brother: Douglas Brown
Aunt: Dorothy Hall
Cousin: Elizina Hall
Military service:
53rd (Young Soldiers) Training Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, at Rugeley Camp
51st (Graduated) Battalion on 19 April 1918
2/5th Battalion of the West Riding Regiment 31 August 1918; France
Memorial(s): County Hall memorial, Spennymoor Cenotaph in Cheapside, Spennymoor book of remembrance, the roll of honour for Spennymoor St. Paul’s church, and the Spennymoor and District Teachers’ Association roll of honour.
Gender: Male
Contributed by Durham County Record Office | Amy Scott
