A master at Teddington Council School for 6 years. He volunteered for active service in September 1914 and was killed in action near Ypres.
Andrew Behan has researched this man: Private Walter James Brown was born on 1 December 1885 in Acton, one of the 13 children of Edwin and Harriett Mary Ann Brown. His father was a House Decorator and Glazier. He was baptised on 8 September 1889 at St Mary Magdalene Church, Richmond, Surrey and at the time the family resided at 21 Kew Road, Richmond. The 1891 census shows them still living at this address. The census of 1901 shows the family living at 16 Stonehill Road, Chiswick and the 1911 census has the family residing at 45 Seymour Gardens, Twickenham, Middlesex, with Walter's occupation described as an Assistant Schoolmaster. Whilst attending Goldsmiths College, New Cross, London he had served for 2 years in the Royal West Kent Territorial Volunteers, but on 1 September 1914 he enlisted in the 1st/8th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own, Middlesex Regiment at Hounslow, a Territorial Force and was allocated the service number 2623. He gave 47 Beaconsfield Road, St Margarets, Twickenham as the address of his parents as his next of kin. On 10 September 1914 his regiment was posted to Gibraltar. He returned to England on 15 February 1915 but on 8 March 1915 he embarked on the SS Empress Queen at Southampton for France.
He was killed in action, aged 29 years, on 25 April 1915 during trench fighting at Zonnebeke, Belguim and as he has no known grave he is commemorated on Panels 49 and 51 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) War Memorial. Because he had attended Goldsmith College he is also commemorated on their War Memorial located in the reception area of the Richard Hoggart Building. His mother was sent his personal effects, totalling £3-16s-2d on 25 October 1915 and she was also sent a £3-0s-0d War Gratuity on 29 September 1919. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-1915 Star, The British War Medal 1914-1918 and The Victory Medal.
Andrew adds: "Find a Grave: has an interesting press cutting about this man, his life and describing the military action which lead up to him being killed.
