James Ferguson Brown
- Admin
- Feb 26, 2021
- 1 min read
Updated: Sep 13
S/40866 Sgt
8th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, 44th Infantry Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division
Age: 20
Date of Death: Killed in Action 22.8.17
Family history: Son of John and Janet C Brown, 3 Scotia Place, Falkirk. Prior to enlisting in September 1914 he was clerk in the Etna Foundry.
The action leading to his death
The Battalion had moved up to the front line at Frezenberg Ridge as part of the resumption of the offensive on 22 August. The attack was launched at 4.45am under the cover of a creeping barrage and fire from thirty two machine guns. Within seconds the Germans had sent over a counter barrage and heavy machine gun fire that caught the companies of the 44th Brigade before they had left their trenches. The assaulting company of the Seaforths mistook the Steenbeek for the Zonnebeke brook, and lost direction. No confirmation of this was possible as no survivor came back, all being either killed or seriously wounded. It appears that the company did reach a point well east of Beck House before they were annihilated. The left company of the Seaforths advanced towards Iberian Farm and reached a point 30 to 40 yards west of the farm also suffering heavy casualties. Late in the evening the 8th Seaforths in conjunction with the 9th Black Watch and 8/10th Gordons made a valiant attempt to take Iberian Farm. It was not successful. They consolidated the ground they had made, some 80 yards.
Medals Awarded
Victory Medal, British War Medal
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