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Philip Anthony Brown was educated at Malvern College where he was in House Number 6. He went up to New College Oxford in 1905 on a scholarship to read Literary Humanities. Is the archive aware that a Victoria Cross was awarded to 17424 Private Thomas Kenny, 13th (Service) Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry for his efforts to carry in from patrol and save the life of this mortally wounded officer? The Victoria Cross citation, for Private Thomas Kenny, published in the Supplement to The London Gazette of 7th December 1915, states: "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the night of 4th November 1915, near La Houssoie. When on patrol in a thick fog with Lieutenant Brown, 13th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, some Germans, who were lying out in a ditch in front of their parapet, opened fire and shot Lieutenant Brown through both thighs. Private Kenny, although heavily and repeatedly fired upon, crawled about for more than an hour with his wounded officer on his back, trying to find his way through the fog to our trenches. He refused more than once to go on alone, although told by Lieutenant Brown to do so. At last, when utterly exhausted, he came to a ditch which he recognised, placed Lieutenant Brown in it, and went to look for help. He found an officer and a few men of his battalion at a listening post, and after guiding them back, with their assistance Lieutenant Brown was brought in, although the Germans again opened heavy fire with rifles and machine-guns, and threw bombs at 30 yards distance. Private Kenny's pluck, endurance and devotion to duty were beyond praise." Thomas Kenny, then aged 33, an Irishman and a coalminer from South Wingate, County Durham, married to Isabel and with 6 children, survived the War despite being wounded in October 1916, and promoted to Lance Sergeant (Acting Company Sergeant Major). After the war he returned to work as a colliery stoneman and a drift at his mine at Wheatley Hill was named after him (detail from the Northern Echo where there is a picture of Private Kenny VC at www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/memories/da... ) Thomas Kenny VC continued to work underground 'down the pit' to the age of 62. He died at his home, in Darlington Street, in 1948 aged 66 and he is buried in Wheatley Hill Cemetery. Lieutenant Philip Brown, before the war a lecturer at Durham University, sadly died of his wounds before he reached the dressing station. Apparently he was conscious when placed on a stretcher, thanked Kenny and told him he was a hero.//

So sad - both brothers lost. Apart from the story, it's a lovely portrait - the eyes are beautiful.

It would be a good idea to number these portrait photographs - the series is getting quite long now - if only to link brothers and the occasional father and son. Philip Brown's brother, Theodore, appears three pictures previous to this one, and making that link would be useful.

Wemmbley-Hogg Very good point. Gary Donaldson That's a tremendous citation.

Lieutenant Philip Brown and Private Thomas Kenny were in 'B' Company of 13 DLI. Kenny was Mr Brown's 'observer' (a combination of lookout and officer close protection) - they patrolled together as a pair and on 8th October 1915 the two of them were instrumental in the rescue of a badly wounded Durham soldier, shot while in a forward sap. The DLI museum has letters from Lt Brown to his mother. Two of these are transcribed at www.dlisouthshields.org.uk/thomas_kenny_VC.php Perhaps the DLI Museum will allow representation here - which shows the working relationship between Lt Brown and Pte Kenny.

And what a fence! I can't think why it stays together!?

I'm so glad I have this contact, It's a real leveler of the nonsense that I do. I'm so lucky to have the luxury of self expression.

De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour entry reads as follows; Adamson, Gilbert Edgar MC, Lieut. 7th (Territorial) Battalion, The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment). Youngest son of John William Adamson of 44 Whitehall Park, Highgate, Professor of Education, University of London, and his [Prof Adamson’s] wife, Amanda, daughter of the late William Knapman. Born 28th December 1894. Educated City of London School and Merton College, Oxford. Received a commission and was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant (The Middlesex Regiment) 5th March 1915 and promoted 2nd Lieutenant in April 1916. Served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from July to August 1915, also from October 1917 and was killed in action before Croisilles 24th August 1918. Buried in Bellacourt Military Cemetery, Riviére near Arras. His Commanding Officer wrote “....He fell ... while most gallantly leading his men over an area swept by artillery and machine-gun fire.” He was awarded the Military Cross [London Gazette, 16th September 1918]. “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty duringa night raid on hostile trenches... He led his party with the greatest personal courage and precision, ... and his splendid example and fine leadership contributed largely to the success of the raid.” Unmarried. The 1901 census records Gilbert as a six year old child living at 24 Countess Street, Kentish Town [the premises still exist] with his father, John W [b.1858, London, and who’s occupation is given as Lecturer in Education, Kings College]. His mother, Caroline A [b.1855 London] and his two older sisters, Dorothy E [b.1889] and Cecily M [b.1891]. I am puzzled by the De Ruvigny’s entry which gives his mother’s name as Amanda as does an Andrews Newspaper index card and yet his mother, in the 1901 census is recorded as Caroline A. Maybe the A stands for Amanda and this was how she as colloquially known.

I have such complete and total respect and gratitude for this generation. We seem to have regressed in so many ways.

Strong face, dignified looking man.

1911 census shows mother's name as Caroline Amanda.