Edward (Edmund) James Brown
The soldier:
Edward (Edmund) James Brown enlisted in to the army in Kings Lynn, Norfolk. He was assigned to the Norfolk Regiment and given regimental number 32047.
His enlistment papers recorded his place of birth as Ongar, Essex.
Edward (Edmund) James Brown was killed in action on the 17th February 1917 whilst serving as a Corporal in that regiment’s 8th Battalion. He was 31 at the time of his death.
Edward (Edmund) is buried in Grave VI. C.25 of the Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, Somme, France.
His name appears on both Snettisham’s memorials and on its ‘Roll of Honour’.
Army records from the time show his personal effects as going to his widow ‘Alice E’.
There are no NOK listed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records for Edward (Edmund). However their contemporaneous records show his headstone inscription being chosen by Miss L. Brown of 66, Hermon Hill, Snaresbrooke.
The Norfolk Regimental Museum has confirmed there is a note on Edward’s (Edmund’s) file from his commanding officer describing him as a ‘trustworthy and conscientious’ soldier.
The man:
Edmund James Brown (Edward) was born in 1895 in Chipping Ongar, Essex (his birth being registered in the 4th quarter of that year). His parents were Walter (38) and Jane (32 – nee Speller). In the 1881 census Walter’s occupation was listed as ‘Coachman’.
Edmund (Edward) had several older siblings; Elizabeth E (bn. 1877), William J (bn.1878) and Jane E (bn. 1880).
After his birth his parents had two more daughters; Daisey L (bn. 1888) and Ellen (bn. 1890). Both these girls were born in Chipping Ongar, Essex.
By the 1891 census Edmund (Edward) was living with his parents and William, Jane, Walter, Daisy and Ellen in Chipping Ongar, Essex. He was 5 years old.
His parents had several further children; Alice Maud (bn. April 1892), Percy R (bn. 1895) and Dudley C (bn. 1900). Again, all being born in Chipping Ongar (sometimes recorded as Ongar), Essex.
By the 1901 census All Edmund’s (Edward’s) older siblings had left home. Walter was 51, Jane 47 and Edmund (Edward) 15. his younger siblings Daisy, Alice, Percy and Dudley lived with them, still in Ongar, Essex.
By the 1911 census, all Edmund’s (Edward’s) family remain resident in Chipping Ongar, their long-term home. His father passing away in this area in March 1917 (aged 69) and his mother likewise in March 1923 (aged 68).
Edmund has left the family home by this census and crucially the name Edmund James Brown, born Ongar/Chipping Ongar, Essex does not appear anywhere in the UK on this or any future UK census.
However, in the 1911 census an Edward James Brown, born Ongar, Essex in 1885 (Edmund’s birth year and place of birth) does appear out of the blue in Snettisham, Norfolk. He is shown residing as a ‘single’ boarder lodging with Mary Ann Jay in Providence Place. His occupation is listed as a gardener.
In the 1911 census, a 27 year old, Miss Alice Ellen Linford born Flitcham, Norfolk is shown also residing in Snettisham, Norfolk. Her address is Snettisham Lodge and she is recorded as a ‘single’ parlourmaid.
In 1914, Alice E Linford married Edmund J Brown (Nb. not Edward) in Freebridge Lynn. The Marriage certificate provides several matches to confirm Edward is Edmund and vice versa; both are the same age, both have the same village of residence (Snettisham), both have the same occupation listed (gardener) and both have the same father Walter Brown who has the same occupation (Coachman).
It has been shown above that ‘Alice E’ was recorded by the army as Corporal 32047 EDWARD Brown of the Norfolk Regiment’s widow.
Further inquires with the Norfolk Regimental Museum and the work of their researchers has confirmed ‘Alice E’ to be ‘Alice E Linford’. again linking Edmund and Edward’s identity.
It is a reasonable hypothesis that Edmund preferred to use Edward rather than his registered birth name of Edmund as an adult and only used this on his formal/legal ‘marriage’ document.
Edward/Edmund and Alice did not have any children in their tragically cut short marriage.
The researchers at Norfolk Regimental Museum have also provided information that Edward had gone to Snettisham to work for Lambert’s and Sons the large store there. They have also posted out further information on Edward/Edmund and his photograph to be added to his life story upon receipt.
With grateful thanks to all those at Norfolk Regimental Museum and in particular Mr. Dick Roper
