oxford

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

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.

The building is still used for the motor trade : g.co/maps/ee5dn

highthorn(Nicky) Great to see continuity of a trade.

Great photo. I walked past this building everyday when I was going to school. By the way this was the first garage in Ireland.

www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/environment-geography...

Paul O'Farrell That's great to know, and we have pictures of Peares, and of Mr Peare in his motors and his motor boat! Wish the picture of Kelly's in your link was larger, then we might be able to identify individual salesmen in our photo...

This is the garage established by WF 'Bill' Peare and WGD Goff at Catherine Street, Waterford in 1900. Peares went into liquidation in 1917 and the garage has continued in use under different owners to this day. It was the first purpose-built garage in Ireland. (The first garage in Ireland was Porters at Montgomery Street, Belfast in 1899).