Service details for Lieutenant Robert Walton Brown

[rosie99]

Hi rosie99 sorry for my 2 faux pas - still learning RootsChat etiquette. WRT the link it takes me to the NA site but the items sought are not available to view online. They can be ordered for viewing at the NA in Kew.

Cheers

As this is probably not 'your' Robert Walton Brown you won't need the information - for future information TNA website also allows you to 'Request a copy' which can be sent digitally or by post.  From experience these copies can be expensive but it is always worth getting a quote

[TCosy]

Thank you again rosie99.

[TCosy]

The Robert Walton Brown from Alnwick who died in France on 30 May 1918 was a Private in the South Wales Borderers.

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/725476/BROWN,%20ROBERT%20WALTON

ShaunJ spot on I think I may have found Robert but this seems to open more questions, as I note it is said he is the son of Mrs Elizabeth Pyle nee Brown.

More investigation required.

Thanks ShaunJ

[rosie99]

There is a birth reg
BROWN, ROBERT  WALTON  (no mothers maiden name) 
1879  March Quarter in ALNWICK  Volume 10B  Page 359
He is probably illegitimate 

Possible marriage for mother
Marriages Jun qtr 1890
BROWN    Elizabeth       
Pyle    Edward       
Newcastle T    10b   48
 

[TCosy]

rosie99 you rock.

Thanks. Went from a Lieutenant to a Private (not that there is anything wrong with being a Private) to possibly illegitimate.

I have not come across the book you refer to. Is it digitised and online?

TCosy

[jim1]

Content to do the easy bit & say he was in this shaded area at the time. Can't get it any closer as the Batt. were sent wherever the gaps needed plugging as this was the German Spring Offensive which put the French & British on the back foot & forced a withdrawal & as such it was pretty much back to open warfare with the Germans attacking from the North & West.
The Soissons Memorial is very close to this spot.

[MaxD]

The Robert Brown who died on 30 May 1918 mentioned before was at the time of his death in the 6th Battalion South Wales Borderers as ShaunJ has cited.   The Register of Soldiers' Effects says he left his effects and gratuity to his mother Elizabeth.

6 SWB were the Pioneer Battalion in 30 Division. He died at Luthernay Farm.   This book puts Luthernay Farm in context.   https://archive.org/details/brigadierinfranc00cumm pages 160. 176 and 187 although this does not specifically describe his battalion's part in it, for that you need to look at their war diary on Ancestry. **

Sound more like your man?

maxD

** Or wait for Jim1's next expert post!

[jim1]

Using the map from MaxD's book & looking at the diary I'm not convinced he died at Luthernay farm.
The Batt. were away from the fighting by the 30th. so he must have died from wounds earlier or the date is wrong which is quite understandable considering the situation they were in.
They were sent up as re-inforcements on the 27th. to the Vaux-Varennes to Fromelles rd. & the area in front marked in red.
Forced back on the 28th. the Batt. picked up several stragglers from other Batts. formed a composite Batt. & plugged the gap marked yellow but were again forced back &  briefly came under orders of the French & took up a line W. of Rosnay & came under a further attack then ordered by their own Div. (which at this time was the 25th.) to rendezous at Rosnay on the 29th. & make their way to the transport lines at Mecy-Premecy. While doing this they were seen by the Germans & shelled sustaining a few casualties but no mention if any were fatal.
They had left the area by the 30th.
Where/when he died depends on which Coy. he was in & on what day.
Luthernay farm may be a generalisation as it would be a landmark in the area.

[TCosy]

WOW maxD and jim1 you guys are awesome