Albert Ernest Brown

A Leading Stoker with H.M.S. Victory II, Albert died on 25th of May 1918 at the age of 26.

Albert was born at Ashby, Suffolk, on 14 February 1891, a son of Benjamin and Martha Brown. Albert was baptised at Saint Mary's Church, Ashby, on 20 September 1891. In 1891 his family lived near The Hall, Ashby. In 1901 his family lived at Herringfleet Road, Herringfleet. By 1911 their home was at White House Cottage, Herringfleet, and later they lived at 4 Widows Cottages, The Street, Somerleyton.

Albert was a farm worker when he joined the Royal Navy, as a Stoker 2nd Class, on 28 December 1909. From 9 September 1913 to 14 August 1916 and 1 October 1916 to 31 March 1917 Albert served with H.M.S. Hazard. From 1 April 1917 to 12 November 1917 he served with H.M.S. Arrogant. The Hazard and the Arrogant were both depot ships for submarines.

A note in his service record states 'For service in land operations'. From 13 November 1917 he was on the roll of H.M.S. Victory II which was the training depot for the Royal Naval Division which was the Royal Navy's land based infantry division. He died, from gastro-enteritis, at No 81 Hospital, Marseilles. 

His brother William was killed in 1915 while serving with the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.