BEVERLEYS FIRST CASUALTY. BORN PENRITH, CUMBERLAND, 05/01/1867. A PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER. SERVED AS REGIMENTAL SERGEANT MAJOR, 1ST DRAGOON GUARDS. SERVED IN THE BOER WAR. AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, LONG SERVICE MEDAL AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. DIED OF A LIVER INFECTION AT BEVERLEY ON 24/08/1914, AGED 47. HIS WIFE, MAY AND TWO CHILDREN LIVED AT RAILWAY STREET, HULL AND MOVED TO 57 MILL LANE, BEVERLEY. HE IS BURIED AT ST MARTINS CHURCH, BEVERLEY. HIS GRAVE INSCRIPTION, READS, "AT REST".

Born Onsley, Penrith, Cumberland, 1868. Son of John and Isabella Brown, of 4 Railway Street, Beverley. The fourth of eight sons. His first name was Wilkinson, but he was known as William. He enlisted in the Army on 01/05/1887. Rose through the ranks to become Regimental Serjeant Major W Brown, 1st (Royal) Dragoons. Served in the South African Campaign, with the East Riding Yeomanry.

Awarded Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Husband of Mary Brown, of 57, Mill Lane, Beverley.

Died of Liver cancer, aggravated by active service, on 24/08/1914, aged 46. His army effects were left to his widow, Mary, who moved to 4 Railway Street, Beverley (Pension Address). They had two children, Winifred and Archibald.

He is buried at St Martins, Beverley. His grave inscription, reads "AT REST"

His brother, Frederick James Brown, was lost on HMS "Good Hope", on 01/11/1914, aged 38.