John BROWN

Private 238094

2nd Battalion

Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

formerly served as

Private 1911

Lanarkshire Yeomanry

JOHN BROWN, Private 238094, 2nd Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), is NOT named on the LARKHALL War Memorial.

JOHN is listed on the BIGGAR War Memorial, and formerly served as Pte 1911, Lanarkshire Yeomanry.

Walter Smith sent me a clipping taken from The Hamilton Advertiser dated 23 November, 1918.
It reads:
"BROWN - In loving memory of our dear brother, John Brown, who died of wounds in France, 21st November, 1917.
'Sleep on, dear brother, thy warfare's o'er,
Thy willing hands will toil no more;
On earth there's strife, in Heaven rest;
We miss him most who loved him best.
The years may wipe out many things,
But this they'll wipe out never -
The memory of the good old times
When we were all together.'
- Inserted by his loving sisters, Agnes and Mrs H. Ramage, 9 Raploch Street, Larkhall".

With the information in the newspaper clipping I took the clues of his name; the date he 'Died of Wounds'; the names of his 2 sisters; and the Larkhall address.

By searching the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), I found that the only JOHN BROWN who died on 21st November, 1917, was JOHN BROWN, Pte 238094, 2nd Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
His brother PETER WATSON BROWN also served and survived the War.

My searches of Birth, Death, Marriage and Census records found that JOHN BROWN was born in Biggar.
His sister Christina Brown married Hugh Ramage of Larkhall, on 9 October, 1903, and hence the LARKHALL connection.

Here is what I found:
Parents
His father James Brown was born at Waterhead, Crawford, on 7th July, 1853.
His mother Anne Watson was born at Upper Haycleuth, Crawford on 6th January, 1857.

Brothers and Sisters
Jane Brown was born at Williamsleehope, Innerleithern, Peebles, on 12th February, 1879.
Archibald Brown was born at Williamsleehope, Innerleithern, Peebles, 8th February, 1880.
Janet Watson Brown was born at Hope, Yarrow, Selkirk, on 3rd October, 1881.
Christina Brown was born at Fingland, Newlands, Peebles, on 16th September, 1883.
Robina Watson Brown was born at Westend, Biggar, on 6th September, 1885.
Agnes Watson Brown was born at Bridgend, Biggar, on 6th April, 1888.
James Brown was born at Bridgend, Biggar, on 17th May, 1889.
Robert Watson Brown was born at Bridgend, Biggar, on 21st March, 1891.
Annie Brown was born at Bridgend, Biggar, on 16th May, 1892.
JOHN BROWN was born at Westend, Biggar, on 26th June, 1894.
William Watson Brown was born at Main Street, Biggar, on 19th January, 1896.
PETER WATSON BROWN was born at North Backroad, Biggar, on 14th August, 1897.

The 1891 BIGGAR Census was taken on 5th April, 1891.
The family are listed at Moat Park Place, Biggar, as follows:
James W. Brown, age 38, Head, Butcher & Grazier, b Crawford
Annie Brown, age 33, Wife, b Crawford
Jane Brown, age 12, Daughter, Scholar, b Innerleithen
Archibald Brown, age 11, Son, Scholar, b Innerleithen
Janet Brown, age 9, Daughter, Scholar, b Yarrow, Selkirk
Christina Brown, age 7, Daughter, Scholar, b Newlands, Peebles
Robina W. Brown, age 5, Daughter, Scholar, b Biggar
Agnes W. Brown, age 3, Daughter, b Biggar
James Brown, age 2, Son, b Biggar
Robert W. Brown, age 14 days, Son, b Biggar.

On 17th October, 1898, his father James Brown, age 45, a Butcher, died at Main Street, Biggar.
His death was recorded by his son Archibald.

The 1901 BIGGAR Census was taken on 31st March, 1901.
The family are listed at Main Street, Biggar, as follows:
Annie Brown, age 44, Head, Widow, Butcher, b Crawford
Archibald Brown, age 21, Son, Butcher, b Innerleithen
Janet Brown, age 19, Daughter, Home Worker, b Yarrow, Selkirk
Christina Brown, age 17, Daughter, Shop Worker, b Newlands, Peebles
Robina Brown, age 15, Daughter, b Biggar
Agnes Brown, age 13, Daughter, Scholar, b Biggar
James Brown, age 12, Son, Scholar, b Biggar
Annie Brown, age 8, Daughter, Scholar, b Biggar
JOHN BROWN, age 7, Son, Scholar, b Biggar
William Brown, age 5, Son, b Biggar
PETER BROWN, age 3, Son, b Biggar.

On 9th October, 1903, his sister Christina Brown, age 20, of Union Street, Larkhall, married Hugh Ramage, age 21, a Butcher, of 26 London Street, Larkhall, at The Manse, Larkhall.
 

The 1911 BIGGAR Census was taken on 2nd April, 1911.
The family are listed at Main Street, Biggar, as follows:
Annie Brown, age 53, Head, Widow, Butcher, b Crawford
Archibald Brown, age 31, Son, Butcher, b Innerleithen
Janet Brown, age 29, Daughter, b Yarrow, Selkirk
James Brown, age 21, Son, Butcher, b Biggar
Annie Brown, age 19, Daughter, b Biggar
JOHN BROWN, age 16, Son, Apprentice Butcher, b Biggar
William Brown, age 14, Son, Apprentice Butcher, b Biggar
PETER BROWN, age 12, Son, Scholar, b Biggar.

The 1911 LARKHALL Census listed Hugh Ramage and family at Braeside, Larkhall (Millheugh), as follows:
Hugh Ramage, age 29, Head, Butcher, b Linlithgow
Christina Ramage, age 27, Wife, b Biggar
Annie Ramage, age 7, Daughter, Scholar, b Larkhall
Gracie Ramage, age 5, Daughter, Scholar, b Larkhall
John Ramage, age 2, Son, b Larkhall
Christina Ramage, age 4 months, Daughter, b Larkhall
Ruby (Robina) Brown, age 25, Sister-in-Law, Nurse Maid, b Biggar.

JOHN joined the 2nd Bn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) as Pte 238094, and went to France with his Battalion. JOHN was wounded and Died of Wounds on 21 November, 1917, age 23.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) entry for JOHN shows that he is buried at DUHALLOW A.D.S. CEMETERY, Ypres, Belgium. There are 1,314 casualties buried there.

The Scottish National War Memorial (SNWM) at Edinburgh Castle shows that JOHN is commemorated there.

The entry in Soldiers Died in the Great War (SDGW) shows that JOHN was born and enlisted in Biggar. This record also shows that he formerly served as Private 1911, Lanarkshire Yeomanry.

The Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for JOHN shows that he was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. The MIC is undated which indicates that he went to France after 1915.

The "Soldier's Effects" record shows that his mother Annie received his Outstanding Pay of £5/14/10 and a War Gratuity of £6/-/-.

While researching JOHN, I found that his brother PETER WATSON BROWN served as Driver M/427604 of the Royal Army Service Corps. PETER was injured on 12th April, 1918, when a motor lorry ran over his foot. Due to his injuries he was evacuated back to the UK. He discharged on 16th July, 1918, because of his injuries.

On 27th June, 1940, their mother Annie Brown, age 84, widow of James Brown, Master Butcher, died at 121 Main Street, Biggar. Her death was recorded by her son Archibald.

Lest We Forget!

Newspaper clipping taken from The Hamilton Advertiser, 23rd November, 1918.

Panel on Biggar War Memorial.

Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC).

Medal Roll showing the award of The Victory Medal and The British War Medal.

Entry in Soldier's Effects log.