Photo Gallery
James Monteagle BROWN
| Rank | Reg/Ser No | DOB | Enlisted | Discharge/Death | Board |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Lieut | 3752 | 6 May 1888 - 27y3m | 2 Aug 1915 | 29 Jul 1916 - KA | 4 & 7 |
James Monteagle Brown (1888-1916)
Early life
The Queenslander of Saturday 12 May 1888 announced the birth of a baby boy at Monteagle, Victoria Park Road, Normanby Hill, Brisbane. James Monteagle Brown was born on 6 May 1888, the son of William Hutchison Brown of Thomas Brown & Sons Ltd and Jane Findlay Brown.
School and sport
James attended Brisbane Grammar School from February 1902 to December 1906. In his final year he was in the 1st Fifteen Football and the 1st Rowing. He passed the senior examination in which he studied History of Europe, Ancient History, English, German, Latin, Greek, Algebra, Geometry, Plane Trigonometry and Inorganic Chemistry.
Occupation
James Brown’s occupation was Manager of the Warwick Branch of the produce business of J Jackson and Company.
Enlistment
He enlisted at the age of 27 years for service abroad in the Australian Imperial Force on 2 August 1915. His service number was 3752. After an early promotion to the rank of Sergeant, he was sent to Officers’ School and embarked from Brisbane as 2nd Lieutenant with the 9th Reinforcements, 25th Battalion on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on 31 January 1916.
Service - the ultimate sacrifice
After a stay in Egypt his company left Alexandria to join the 25th at Marseille, France. Appointed Scout Officer, he was engaged in fighting on the Somme from May to July 1916 and mentioned in despatches. He was killed in action at Pozières on 29 July 1916, aged 28 years. Second Lieutenant James Monteagle Brown was buried south of Courcelette, Picardie, some 4 miles north east of Albert, France.
Memorials to James Brown
At Saint Andrew’s, James M Brown’s name is on one of the honour boards and appears on the brass plaque listing those who paid the supreme sacrifice. As well, Lieutenant Brown’s name is remembered at his old school and at Warwick where he worked. JM BROWN is on one of the two memorial boards honouring a total of 172 Brisbane Grammar School old boys who paid the supreme sacrifice in World War 1. The boards are headed LECTI JUVENES FORTISSIMA CORDA, Latin for “chosen youth bravest hearts”.
In Leslie Park at the corner of Palmerin and Fitzroy streets, Warwick, a memorial honours the 122 local men, JM Brown amongst them, who fell during the First World War. It was unveiled by the Queensland Governor, Sir Matthew Nathan in 1923 at a ceremony attended by 3000 people.
Prepared by N. E. Adsett July 2014. Additional images added by Miriam King, January 2024. ©
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