Kenneth Ashby Brown

RankCaptain Kenneth Ashby Brown
Medals1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, M in D
RegimentCameronians (Scottish Rifles), 5th Battalion
Military Service

Brown joined the 1st Lanarkshire Volunteer Rifle Corps as a Second Lieutenant in April 1907. The following year he transferred to the 5th Battalion Scottish Rifles (TF) on the formation of the new Territorial Force although he was one of several supernumerary officers on the establishment of the new battalion. In October 1914 Brown, by now a supernumerary Lieutenant, was finally absorbed into the establishment and his promotion to temporary Captain followed in January 1915.

From 1909 until the outbreak of war Brown was connected with the Officers’ Training Corps at the University of Glasgow. As a result, although still only holding the army rank of Second Lieutenant, he was granted the local rank of Captain in 1910.

At the outbreak of war in 1914 the 5th Cameronians reached France in November. Brown did not join them until July 1915 as he seems to have suffered a period of ill health. Sometime in 1916 he seems to have been sent home sick with trench fever and did not return to his unit until January 1917. By now the 5th and 6th Battalions of the regiment were so under strength that they had been merged into a composite 5/6th Battalion serving with the 19th Brigade of the 33rd division. He was Mentioned in Dispatches in the 1918 New Year’s Honours list in connection with the action in the Arras Offensive in which he lost his life.

Born

5th August 1887, Glasgow

Death14th April 1917
Circumstances of Death

Killed in action.
On 14th April Brown commanded one of the two leading companies of 5th Cameronians in that day’s attack. ‘D’ Company came under heavy artillery and machine gun fire and Brown was killed.

Age29
BurialHeninel-Croisilles Road Cemetery, I. B. 11

Brown’s parents chose the phrase ‘Post Tenebras Lux’ for his headstone.

CWGC Information

Son of Nicol Paton Brown and Maria Crowley Ashby Brown, of 22 Belhaven Terrace, Glasgow.

Parents

Nicol P Brown (1853-1934) & Maria C Ashby (1860-1931), married 1886

Father's Occupation

Chairman of John Brown and Son Ltd., muslin manufacturers, Bridgeton

Siblings

Marjorie A (c1889-), Alison A (c1890-), Hester P (1901-1969)

Spouse

Unmarried

Education

St Ninian’s School, Moffat
Glasgow Academy [Played rugby for Glasgow Academicals]
Marlborough College 1901-1904 (Preshute House)
University of Glasgow 1904-1905
Jesus College, University of Cambridge (1905-)

Occupation

Director of John Brown and Son Ltd., muslin manufacturers, Bridgeton

1891 Census

Doune Gardens, Maryhill, Glasgow

1901 Census

St Ninians School, Old Well Road, Moffat. Home address 22 Belhaven Terrace, West, Partick

1911 Census

Hampden Residential Club, Phoenix Street, London NW

Home Address

1917 – 22 Belhaven Terrace, Glasgow

Glasgow NecropolisCompartment Epsilon Lair 676
Other Memorials

Glasgow Academy War Memorial
Marlborough College World War 1 Roll of Honour
Scottish National War Memorial
Wellington Church War Memorial

Acknowledgements and Sources

Much of the information on which this profile is based is drawn from various internet sources which are listed below.  The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis also wish to make full acknowledgement and thanks for the permitted use of any information or images generously supplied specifically for exhibition, publication or display in connection with The Roll of Honour and accompanying profiles to The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Museum, Hamilton, Marleborough College, University of Glasgow, Ancestry, and Find my past.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Family Search

Scotlands People

The Long, Long Trail

The Scottish War Memorials Project

back

Credits

Compiled by Morag Fyfe, Historical and Genealogical Researcher for The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis.

 
Back to top
//