Private Thomas James Brown

Born on 17 January 1893 in Dalston, London, England - husband of Emily Brown, St. Thomas, Ontario - son of Albert and Ellen Brown, London, England - enlistment records provide the following: present address in St. Thomas, Ontario, trade as railway employee, married with one child, no current or previous military service, Church of England, height of 5 feet 7 inches, chest of 37 inches fully expanded, fair complexion, grey eyes, brown hair.

Joined the 91st Canadian Infantry Battalion in St. Thomas, Ontario, on 7 December 1915 (number 189617) - taken on the strength of the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion in France on 20 or 21 August 1916 - killed in action on 22 February 1917 - died whilst prisoner of war on 1 March 1917 - name inscribed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Pte Brown's inscription on the Vimy Memorial that I took in August 2012).

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org)