I have been tracing my family history for about a year now and have managed to get quite a long way back. I have one interesting family story I have uncovered concerning my great great uncle, James Walker Brown. As far as I am sure he died on the first day of the battle of the Somme, what has intested me is that looking on the national archives website I have found his record card and it has mm on it which I am led to believe means Military Medal. I have spoken to my Grandma (James was her Uncle) and she has no knowledge of him receiving this. I wondered if anyone has any ideas about how I can find out more. I am a housewife and mother to a 2 year old so all my research has been online in the evenings as I am unable to travel to the various places that hold all the records. I have used the surname search on this site to look for James and it gave me one match, what surprised me about it is that the memorial to James is in Wales,(it says on his war card 2nd Ba Lincoln Regt), although this could be a different James Walker Brown. I would love to hear from anyone who has any further information. James was the son of John Brown from Luton and Rebecca Brown (nee Walker) from Spalding.
You might find a mention of his MM in the London Gazette archive which is online at London Gazette
MM's were normally mentioned in here, but the search on this site can be frustrating. You will need to try all combinations for his name such as JW Brown, J.W. Brown, etc.
The CWGC register does have an entry for a "James Walker Brown" sadly killed on the first day of the Somme.
His details are:
Name: BROWN, JAMES WALKER Initials: J W Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment: Lincolnshire Regiment Unit Text: 2nd Bn. Age: 28 Date of Death: 01/07/1916 Service No: 7455 Awards: MM Additional information: Son of John Brown, of Surfleet, Spalding, Lincs. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 1 C. Cemetery: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
The "soldiers died in the Great War" Cd-Rom adds this:
Born : Surfleet, Lincs Enlisted: Killled in Action Resident: Surfleet
The M.M does indeed stand for the gallantry award of "Military Medal". Details would have appeared in the "London Gazette" newspaper, But as Islanders has alerady said searching it can be tricky. MM winners do not normally have a citation, but you would perhaps at least find out if he was awarded the MM before 1/7/1916.
People other than officers are rarely mentioned in Regimental Histories and War Diaries. But as an MM winner he may be.
This book may be of help: "HISTORY OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT 1914-1918" by Maj-Gen C.R. Simpson. If you cannot locate a library copy, re-prints are on sale for around £20.
I'll post some questions elsewhere and get back to you if I find anything out.
Notice of Pte. J.W.Brown's MM award appeared in the London Gazette of 11-11-1916
This information came from a member of the "Great War Forum", who I have thanked on your behalf.
You may have found this yourself since, I gave up trying after several goes, the London Gazette search can be hard to use. Lucky, I know someone who can
I believe in 1916 there was about a three to four month delay between a man being awarded an MM and the notice appearing in the London Gazette. This would imply that Pte J W Brown won his MM close to the 1st July 1916.
I'm still waiting on answers to other to questions I placed elsewhere. If I find out any more, I'll let you know.
Thank you so much I am really appreciative of your help. I have tried to look this up but I keep getting no match found I will have to keep trying. Once again many many thanks, Sarah
Originally posted by suffolkboyswife: I have been tracing my family history for about a year now and have managed to get quite a long way back. I have one interesting family story I have uncovered concerning my great great uncle, James Walker Brown. As far as I am sure he died on the first day of the battle of the Somme, what has intested me is that looking on the national archives website I have found his record card and it has mm on it which I am led to believe means Military Medal. I have spoken to my Grandma (James was her Uncle) and she has no knowledge of him receiving this. I wondered if anyone has any ideas about how I can find out more. I am a housewife and mother to a 2 year old so all my research has been online in the evenings as I am unable to travel to the various places that hold all the records. I have used the surname search on this site to look for James and it gave me one match, what surprised me about it is that the memorial to James is in Wales,(it says on his war card 2nd Ba Lincoln Regt), although this could be a different James Walker Brown. I would love to hear from anyone who has any further information. James was the son of John Brown from Luton and Rebecca Brown (nee Walker) from Spalding.
Details on 7455 Private James Walker Brown M.M.. Born Surfleet Lincs. Enlisted Lincoln. Resided Surfleet KIA 1/7/16.
This is a direct transcipt from the offical War Diary of the 2nd Lincolns from 30 June 1916 until midnithgt 1st July 1916.
Jun 30 1916 To assembly trenches: Moved to assembly trenches, w coy, 3 platoons front line 1 platoon Pendle Hill, x coy, 3 platoons front line 1 platoon Longbridge, y coy, 3 platoons front line 1 platoon Longbridge, z coy, 2 platoons Pendle Hill 2 platoons Longbridge. Bt HQ Waltney Tunnel Btn in position about 2:30am, 1 Jul 1916
Jul 1 1916 In trenches opposite: Everybody was in position by 3:30am and the wire along the whole of our front Ovillers unreported cut by 2:30am. 2nd Lt ? (looks like "Old") and a few men got wounded doing this and Lt Ross (or "Rees") party had trouble owing to hostile machine gun fire. Brigade line checked at 5:30am.
6:25am The intensive bombardment commenced to which the enemy relatilated on our front line and assemby trenches with high explosives.
7:25am Companies "unreadable" to move forward from their assembly positions preparing for the assault. These assualting companies getting their 1st two waves into no-mans land, and their 3rd and 4th out at zero. These arrangements were carried out most excellently, no hitch occuring, but casualties were fairly heavy from machine gun fire. The support company got into our front line but suffered a lot of casualities from shell fire.
7:30am As soon as the barrage lifted the whole assaulted. They were meet with very severe rifle fire and had to advance in rushes and return the fire. This fire seemed to coem from the Germand 2nd line and machine gun fire from the left. On reaching the German front line their found it stringly held and were met by showers of bombs. But after a very hard fight about 200 yards of German trnech were taken by 7:50am. The "unreadable" right failing to get in, and also the exclusive left where there appeared to be a gap of 70 yards although "unreadable" of platoons of the 70th Brigade joined them. The support company by this time joined in. The few officers that were left gallantly led them over the German trench to attack the second line but owing to the rifle and machinegun firecould not push on. Attempts were made to consoldiate and make blocks in the trench, but but so badly "unreadable" about that very little cover was available. From the enfilde machine gun fire and continual bombing attacks which were "unreadable" made by the enemy along the whole line and one frontal attack from the 2nd line which we replused.
9am This isolated position became "unreable' with no supports being able to reach us owing to the intense rifle and machinegun fire. On left "unreadable" drove back the remainder which by now only held about 100 yards. Had to withdraw. On reaching our line all the men that could collected were formed up and tried to push on again, but the heavy machinegun and rifle fire made the ground quite unpassable.
1pm Orders received from brigade to withdraw to Peddle and "unreadable" streets and occupy the assembly dugouts which was done.
12 midnight We were relieved by the 6th West Kents and proceeded to Long Valley. (OR 25 killed, 303 wounded, 89 missing, 25 wounded & missing)
This was given to me by a member of the "Great War Forum" who I have thanked on your behalf.
On first day of the Somme, the 2nd Lincolns were part of the 8th Divsion who attacked along the Fricourt-Ovillers section of the front. Like so many others that day, they paid a heavy price.
Hello, thanks to everyone for all your help it has been very useful, I know so much more about James now. James had a brother, Alfred, who died during the war in 1914 I will have to try and find out more about him using the various websites that have been spoken of here, many thanks again. Sarah
