George William Brown (1887-1917)
Ipswich man served with the 5th DLI commemorated on the Arras Memorial
George William Brown, born to William and Martha Brown around 1887, resided in Ipswich but was from North Yorkshire where his parents still lived. It is not known exactly when he enlisted, but it is known that he travelled to Richmond, North Yorkshire to enlist and then joined the 5th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI).
The lack of 1914 or 1915 Star campaign medal attributed to him indicates that he did not take part in any of the major battles that the 5 DLI fought in 1915 such as the Second Battle of Ypres; also this suggests he was conscripted.
He likely did join the 5th Battalion before summer 1916 and so probably fought at the Somme where 5 DLI took heavy causalities.
In April 1917 5DLI, as part of the 50th (Northumbria) Division, lined up for battle at Arras. Arras was a city in north west France, close to the German front line (Hindenburg Line). The British planned, alongside the French (at Aisne), to break the German line and force the enemy to retreat towards Belgium and Germany. George would have met his end here, and the recorded date of his death suggests that this would have happened at the sub-battle of the River Scarpe. This engagement occurred as part of the larger battle at Arras, as the VII corps of the British Third Army (which 5 DLI was assigned to) attempted to capture additional German positions south of the Scarpe river. 50th Division was ordered to attack south of the Cojeul river and capture the important rise that overlooked the village of Guémappe. They accomplished this task and then resisted the German counter-attack which aimed to re-take the position. This however came at a heavy cost in lives, including George.
For his service he received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, and is remembered at the Arras memorial, his name inscribed on bay 8.
Birth date: 1887
Death date: 24-Apr-1917
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Halifax Lodge, Wherstead Road, Ipswich (Arras Memorial)
Topcliffe, Yorkshire (Parents)
Family: Father: William Brown
Mother: Martha Brown
Wife: Emily Mary Brown
Military service:
5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
Regimental Number: 245022
Private
Enlisted: Richmond
Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal
Memorial(s): Arras Memorial Bay 8
Gender: Male
Contributed by Daniel Hyatt
