Brown, John Cowan 51278 (1899 - 1918)

Private, 15th Bn. Royal Scots

Buried at Ploegsteert Memorial

Commemorated at Bellahouston Academy Roll of Honour

As soon as John became 18 years old he joined the Royal Scots in April 1917 and after training qualified as a Lewis Gunner. Shortly after his 19th birthday in 1917, his Battalion was drafted to France and was sent immediately to Houplines near Armentieres, France. After a spell of duty they were going back on rest when they were hurriedly recalled and sent into action. In the critical time which followed, the Royal Scots were sorely cut up and when the remnant emerged, Private Brown was discovered to be missing, 9th April 1918. Later he was officially reported to have died of wounds. He was only nine days in France.

John was the son of Mr and Mrs John M. Brown who resided at 146 Copland Road, Ibrox, Glasgow. John was employed in the laboratory of the City Analyst and simultaneously continued his studies at the Royal Technical College. A Burgess of the City of Glasgow and a member of the Grand Antiquity Society, Private Brown was a young man of exceptional promise.

Memorial: No known grave but commemorated at Ploegstreert Memorial, Belgium; Bellahouston Academy Roll of Honour 1914-1918 and the Scottish National War Memorial.