Pte 30013 Richard Brown

• Age: 28
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: 2 BORDER REGT
• Died on Saturday 30th November 1918
• Commemorated at: West Derby Cem Liverpool
  Panel Ref: II.CE.268

Richard Brown was born on the 05th April 1890, the son of David Brown and his wife Ellen (nee McGinnis) who were married on the 05th October 1873 at St George's Church, Everton. David was a 20 year old labourer of Everton, his father John was a porter, whilst Ellen was aged 20 of Everton, her father John was a bookbinder.

Richard was baptised on the 04th May 1890 at Christ Church, Everton,  his parents address at the time of his baptism was 53 Howe Street, Everton. 

On the 1891 Census the family, all born in Liverpool, are living at 53 Howe Street, Everton. His father, David, is aged 38, and a general labourer, his mother, Ellen, is aged 38. They have seven children in the household; John 15 is a bakers shop boy, Catherine 13 is a scholar, David 11 is a scholar, William 9 is a scholar, Ann 7 is a scholar, Robert is 3, and Richard is 1. They also have a lodger, a widow, Mary King aged 47. 

His younger brother David died in 1894, but another brother also named David and a sister named Ellen were born soon after. 

His father, David, was unfortunately involved in an accident outside St George's Hall, Liverpool where he fell over the chain fence and banged his head. He developed meningitis and he died, aged 45, on 19th March 1900. 

A family notice was placed in the local press:- 

In Loving Memory of  

DAVID BROWN  

Who departed this life March 19th 1900,  

Aged 45 Years,  

and was interred at Everton Cemetery.  

Good was his heart, and in friendship sound. 

Patient in pain and loved by all around; 

His pains are o’er - his griefs for ever done,  

A life of everlasting joy he's now begun. 

On the 1901 Census Richard is missing from the household as he had been placed at teh Blue Coat Hospital Home and School. His family meanwhile are still living at 53 Howe Street, Everton. His widowed mother, Ellen, is aged 49 and a charwoman. There are six children in the household; William 18 a road labourer, Ann 16 an apprentice bookbinder, Ernest 15, Robert 13, David 5 and Ellen 3. 

On the 1911 Census the family have moved to 42 Adelaide Street, Everton. His widowed mother, Ellen, is aged 58, and a charwoman for a public library. She advised that she had been married for 12 years and had 10 children still alive, however, this entry was crossed out. She has four children listed as still in the household; Robert 23 a pawnbrokers assistant, Richard 20 also a pawnbrokers assistant, Ernest 19 a flourmill labourer, and Ellen 13 at school. 

Richard enlisted on the 11th August 1915 as Private 31112 joining the 21st Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment giving his age as 25 years, occupation pawnbroker. He was described as being 5' 5" tall, with a 34” chest. His religion was  stated as Church of England. 

Shortly after enlisting he married Ethel Lewis on the 31st October 1915 at the Methodist Chapel, Great Homer Street, Liverpool. 

His service record is badly damaged, his pension record shows that he was fined on 01st March 1917:- 

28.6.16 - to France (from pension record) 

27.8.16 - transferred to the 2/Border Regt. 

01.3.17 - 5 days C.B. for being late on par 

06.4.17 - 26 General Hospital, Etaples, telegram to Preston recording he has GSW, and the code word IDEENLAND (thought to mean dangerously ill, no visits allowed) and the word proclicas (meaning so far unknown)

10.4.17 - His wife, Ethel, writes to Preston to secure a pass to visit Richard, no reply on file 

25.4.17 - Richard left France (pension record) 

02.9.17 - His wife was informed that he was dangerously ill in hospital in Cardiff.

A document in his service record dated 04th April 1918 informs him that he was being transferred to the Reserve Battalion of the Border Regiment. He states that for 4 years he had been employed with J. Cookson, Pawnbrokers, 375 Scotland Road, Liverpool and is undecided on what employment he would like. 

07.5.18 - He was discharged, no longer fit for service. GSW to head, compound fracture skull. 

Richard sadly died on the 30th November 1918 and was buried on the 06th December 1918 at West Derby Cemetery, where he now rests. 

There are 111 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-1918 war and 129 of the 1939-1945 war in West Derby Cemetery. Those whose graves are not marked by headstones are named on 2 denominational Screen Wall memorials. The graves are scattered throughout the cemetery in denominational plots. There are also 2 Foreign National war burials.

His family posted a remembrance notice in the Liverpool Evening Express on 02nd December 1919: 

BROWN In loving memory of our dear brother Private Richard Brown (Liverpool Pals), died Nov. 30, 1918 from wounds received May, 1917. (Ever remembered by his brother and sister-in-law, John and Sarah, 184 Park Road.) 

Also in the Liverpool Evening Express 01st December 1920, the second anniversary of his passing: 

BROWN In loving memory of our dear brother Private Richard Brown (Liverpool Pals), died Nov. 30, 1918 from wounds received May, 1917. (Never forgotten by his brother John, sister-in-law Sarah, also nieces and nephews, 184 Park Road.) 

Richard is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 15 Right

“PEACE, PEACE, SWEET PEACE, THE GIFT OF GOD'S LOVE” 

A request has put in to CWGC for a new additional headstone. 

His mother, Ellen, died aged 88, in 1941 and was buried on the 17th July n1941 at Anfield Cemetery, her address was still 42 Adelaide Street.  

His wife, Ethel, date of birth 16th February 1892, never remarried and died on the 23rd March 1977. 

Probate:- 

BROWN Ethel of 8 Asser Road, West Derby Liverpool died 23 March 1977 Probate Liverpool 6 May £2,749. 

Grateful thanks are extended to Ancestry user EileenEnt for permission to use the photograph of Richard now shown on this site.  

We currently have no further information on Richard Brown, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.