John Alexander McDonald Brownson

Thank you to Bruce Kettles for providing the service file

 

Jun 8, 1876

Born to Oliver Lewis and Sarah Ann (nee Simpson) Brownson in Rawdon Township, Ontario

I could not determine the date, but he was married to Gertrude Tennyson

Jan 3, 1916

Attested into the 155th Battalion in Madoc, Ontario 

Ø      Number 636200

Ø      Next of kin given as Gertrude Brownson, wife, of Madoc, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Methodist 

After attesting, he was moved to Barriefield, near Kingston, for training

 

Jun 28, 1916

Attended at the Barriefield clinic for dental work

 

Oct 17, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Bramshott for additional training

 

Dec 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Dec 6, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 147 reinforcements and was TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Dec 7, 1916

Left the CBD to join the Battalion

 

Dec 8, 1916

Joined the 21st Battalion in Divisional Reserve and billeted in Bully Grenay, France

 

Jul 17, 1917

Private Brownson was killed in action while the 25th Canadian Battalion was relieving the 21st Battalion from the front line.  He was initially buried in the Caldron Military Cemetery, 2 miles south-west of Lens.  In 1922, during the consolidation of cemeteries, his remains were exhumed and reburied in the Loos British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs Gertrude Brownson, at P.O. Box 801 Tacoma, Washington, USA.

A Memorial Cross was also sent to his mother, Mrs Sarah Ann Brownson, Madoc, Ontario

 


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