William Brown (1893-1916)
Miner served in the East Yorkshire Regiment remembered alongside his brother on Staindrop memorial
William Brown was the son of William and Mary Ann Brown. Born in Staindrop in 1893, William spent his childhood in Cleatlam, just outside the village of Staindrop in County Durham. Censuses record six children born to William senior and Mary, although their son Harry did not survive childhood.
In both 1901 and 1911 William’s father was working as a quarryman. In 1911 William, alongside his younger brother, Isaac who was only 16 at the time, were working underground at a coal mine. The Bowes museum website mentions evidence that William was working in the Raff Yard at Raby for four days a week with a wage of 12/4.
https://www.thebowesmuseumww1.org.uk/person/1156-brown-w/
William attested into the army a few months after war was declared on 28 October 1914, the same day as his younger brother, Arthur. At this time, both brothers were working as miners. William joined the 9th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (EYR) as a private with the service number 14019. He arrived in France and joined the 7th Battalion EYR on 2 August 1915.
Having served for over a year, William was killed in action on 16 October 1916 at the age of 23. He is buried in Hebuterne Military Cemetery in Pas de Calais and remembered on several memorials in the village of Staindrop.
William’s brother Arthur also served with the East Yorkshire Regiment and died from gunshot wounds on 3 May 1917.
Civil Parish: Staindrop
Birth date: 1893
Death date: 16-Oct-1916
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Cleatlam, Winston (1901, 1911 Census)
Religion: Church of England
Employment: Miner (Service Records)
Family: Parents: William Brown, Mary Ann Brown
Siblings: Elizabeth Brown, Isaac Brown, Arthur Brown, Harry Brown, John Brown
Military service:
9th, 7th Battalions East Yorkshire Regiment
Private
Service Number 14019
Medal(s): 1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Memorial(s): Plaque 1914-18, St Mary’s Church, Staindrop
Book of Remembrance 1914-18, St Mary’s Church, Staindrop
Gender: Male
Contributed by StaindropWW1, Staindrop | Fiona Johnson
