Two British Victory Medals, 1914-1919
Lance Corporal Ernest Albert Brown, 48th (South Midland) Divisional Signal Company (Wireless Section), Royal Engineers, killed in action on 15/6/1918 in the Battle of Piave River, age 23
Lance Corporal Sidney Alexander Brown, 1st (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), died of wounds on 20/11/17 in Grévillers, France
Ernest and Sydney were both children of Emily Brown (1856-1928), noted as a widow in 1911.
Ernest Albert Brown was born in Peckham around 1895, one of at least 8 siblings. He worked as a printer’s clerk before the service. He initially served in the 24th (Service) Battalion (2nd Sportsman’s), Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), serving in France from the 16th of November, 1915 (service number 2777). He then transferred as a Sapper to the 48th (South Midland) Divisional Signal Company (Wireless Section), Royal Engineers (service number 193155), which disembarked in Legnano, Italy by the 1st of December, 1917. During his service in the 48th (South Midland) Divisional Signal Company, he was promoted to Lance Corporal. He was killed in action on the 15th of June, 1918, age 23, during the Battle of the Piave River, in which the Austrian Army in the woods made several incursions into the division’s line. He was buried in Bascon British Cemetery, Italy.
Sidney Alexander Brown was born in Leytonstone, around 1896. The 1911 census refers to him as just “Alexander Brown”, although there are no middle names used in this census. He enlisted in Handel Street, Bloomsbury, and began service in France on the 19th of August 1916 with the 1/1st (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) under service number 5349 (other service number 202343). During service he was promoted to Lance Corporal. He died of wounds while attached to the 167 Trench Mortar Battery, on the 20th of November, 1917 at the 29th Casualty Clearing Station, Grévillers, France, likely wounded on the opening day of their fighting at the Battle of Cambrai; however, this was also shortly after the 1/1st London Regiment fought in the Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres). He was buried at the Grevillers British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
Correctly impressed:
2777 PTE. E. A. BROWN. R. FUS.
5349 PTE. S. A. BROWN. 1-LOND. R.
Condition:
Excellent condition
