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Dvr. Edward Wilkin Brown
British Army 1st Northumbrian Brigade Royal Field Artillery
from:Newcastle Upon Tyne
Edward Wilkin Brown was born in October 1896 and (at 17) was already a member of the 50th Northumbrian Division Artillery (Territorials), 1st Northumbrian Brigade Royal Field Artillery (RFA) TF when war began in August 1914. They were recalled from training and were billeted in Newcastle by October 1914 where he would have spent his 18th birthday with his family (including his older brother George Alfred who was also in the RFA). Territorials were not immediately obliged to sign up for overseas service, but most volunteered and they were entitled to wear the Imperial Service brooch for doing so. In the first photograph taken in 1914 Eddie is wearing the brooch and the original frame had three scrolls at the bottom with “The Allies – Britain, France and Russiaâ€. 50th division were deployed to the Steenvoorde area (west of Ypres) by 23rd April 1915 and were immediately involved in the second battle of Ypres (which included the first use of Mustard gas by German forces on the unfortunate French trenches). He always jokingly referred to Ypres as “Wipersâ€. Eddie remained in France until 1919 (staying after the end of hostilities to 'clean up' and to play football!). I believe he was with the 250th Brigade RFA and finally the 251st Brigade RFA. He is pictured with some French civilians, and with other members of his football team, and finally in 1919 with the 251st Brigade. The placard reads “B/251 Cadre – First out/Last home.â€
The three eldest Brown boys from Newcastle Upon Tyne– George, Edward and William – all served and all survived as did Edward’s future brother-in-law Richard O’Brien. Edward married Nora O’Brien in 1924 and had 3 children – Peter (who served in WWII), Marjorie and Evelyn. He was my grandfather.
Thanks to participants of the Great War Forum (http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums) for help in interpreting photographs and advice. I would also recommend ‘The Fiftieth Division 1914-191’ by Everard Wyrall. I think that I have found Edward’s medal index card but it seems his war record is among those many destroyed by bombing in WWII. However, knowing the division and brigade he belonged to enabled me to get a much clearer picture of the life of a Northumbrian gunner. See also http://northumbriangunner.blogspot.com.au/search/label/1st%20Northumbrian%20Bde%20RFA%20%28TF%29
