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NOTE: Jack Plunkett BROWNE was a captain at the time
of this photo (to the left) but was made a Major "during
the War of 1914-1918".The photo beneath shows BROWNE
in 1924, near Cairo. Apparently, he was associated with
the Military College.
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John Plunkett Browne |
We do not know if he ever married. |
Born: |
Born: |
| Died: |
Died: |
| Father: John
Monteagle BROWNE |
Father: |
| Mother: Susanna
M. EDGAR |
Mother: |
I have three sources of information on John Plunkett BROWNE. Firstly,
an undated and unattributed news clipping in my grandmother's album which
says the following:
ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH LADS BRIGADE
The annual inspection of the above company was held in the Deacon Memorial
Hall on Tuesday evening. The company paraded at full strength, under
the command of Captain E.H.H. Lloyd-Dodd, the following officers being
present - Major M.H.G. Willis, Lieutenants Rev. W.A. de V. Dodd, R.B.
Kelly, W.G. Ferry, and Staff Sergeant Hawe. The inspecting officer,
Lieutenant J. Plunkett Browne, 3rd Battalion Inniskilling
Fusiliers, was received by the company with the general salute. The
following buglers took part - J. McKelvey, F. Kee, and F. Macdonald.
The inspecting officer then proceeded to inspect the company and complimented
the lads on their fine and smart appearance. The lads then marched past
in quarter column. In the drill-down, which followed, the competition
was very keen. Medals were presented by the chaplain, Mr. T.W. Dodd
and Mr. A. Spence. The final result was - 1, Private W. Hynds; 2 Corporal
Hill; 3 Bugler F. Macdonald. The inspecting officer, addressing the
company, spoke of the advantages of physical drill, especially to lads
living in the city, and how necessary it was to have a sound body and
good physique to take part successfully in the battle of life. It was
his second visit to the company and he was very pleased to notice the
change in the bearing of the lads. He complimented the lads on their
drill, smartness and efficiency, and wished St. Michael’s company
success in their work. The chaplain replied on behalf of the company
and thanked Lieutenant Browne for his kindness in coming to inspect.
He said the aim of the C.L.B. [Note: St. Michael’s Church Lads
Brigade] was to make the lads good Christian men, and that character
was being formed by their attention and obedience and drill. Captain
Lloyd-Dodd called for three cheers for Mr. Browne which
were given with good will. The singing of the national anthem brought
the proceedings to a close.
The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Regimental Museum is at: The Castle,
Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. It may be worth a visit. Tthe 3rd Battalion
was a reserve batallian and on August 1914 was in Omagh and remained in
Ireland until April 1918 and then moved to England. Given that BROWNE
was promoted to Major during the war, it may also be possible that he
saw action on the field. Hard to say. In the news announcement of his
brother Edgar’s DSO, he is made reference to, so we know that he
was still in service in 1917 (as were all four surviving brothers).
The next bit of info came from an email from a Margaret Ennis in Belfast
who had already tracked down information on Albert Villas for me (where
June BROWNE lived at the time of her marriage). (Thanks to the kindness
of strangers!) Margaret sent me the map of Knock as it was in 1902 along
with the street directory at the time. Albert Villas is just down the
road from Holly Park which was owned at the time by John's older brother,
James Carlisle Monteagle BROWNE. The house is just at the start of Kings
Road, running from the Sandown Road on the right hand side. In fact it
is a duplex. On March 20, 2002, Margaret went to the Linen Hall Library
and then looked in the 1909 Belfast Street Directory and found that the
1909 occupant of the Albert Villas was Liet. JP BROWNE
of the 3rd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. She also sent me the photo of
the house in its current state:
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