Brown, Albert Austin

Age: 39
Date of birth: 10th October 1902

Parents: George and Ellen Brown
Wife: Mrs Elizabeth Brown nee Bennett
Address: 58 Woodhouse Street, Warwick

Occupation: Enlisted in the Royal Navy and had served 21 years

Albert was born on 10th October 1902 in Birmingham. He was baptised at St James, Handsworth on 12th November 1902. We know from the coverage of his funeral that he had at least two sisters but have been unable to find any further details.

Albert married Elizabeth Bennett in Q4 of in 1934. Elizabeth originated from Warwick and was born there on 5th November 1902.

According to the 1939 census Elizabeth was living at 58 Woodhouse Street, Warwick alone. This was probably because Albert was already on active naval service.

Albert’s brother in law, Ernest John Bennett, also fell

Elizabeth remarried and as Elizabeth Roper died in 1988 aged 85.

Military Service

Rank & Number: Stoker 1st Class, P/K 61427
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy
Brigade/Division: HMS Chiddingfold
Date of death: 23rd November 1941
Cause of death/Battle: Died from chronic bronchitis and cardiac failure in Kingscot Naval Hospital, Aberdeen
Commemorated/Buried: Buried in Warwick Cemetery. CWGC Reference: Sec. 104. Grave 4. CRO Reference: Section H1, Row 24, Plot 7
Awards:
Commemorated locally at: St Paul's Church

Albert Brown served on destroyers as a Stoker – First Class, a dangerous job in many ways; if the ship was torpedoed the stokers would be the last to get out, and the atmosphere in the engine room was polluted with soot and fumes.

Albert had joined the navy at the age of 18 and had served 21 years. We learn from his naval record that he served on several ships during that time, including five stints on the Victory. His record describes his character as VG (very good) and his efficiency as SAT (satisfactory).

Albert was brought home from the British fleet at Scapa Flow in 1941, suffering from chronic bronchitis. All those years in the engine rooms had taken their toll on his health and he died of heart failure in Aberdeen Naval Hospital.

He is buried in Warwick Cemetery and commemorated at St. Paul’s Church as well as on the war memorial.

Contributors

  • Unlocking Warwick Research Group
  • Warwick Advertiser excerpts courtesy of Warwickshire County Record Office

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