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Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 906

A poignant family group:

The North Russia 1919 O.B.E. group of four awarded to Major F. J. Browne, Middlesex Regiment, who survived the loss of the Tyndareusand commanded his Battalion with great skill in Siberia, earning a brace of 'mentions' along the way

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st Type, Military Division, (O.B.E.) Officer's breast Badge; British War and Victory Medals (Major F. J. Browne); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2344 Sjt. Mjr. F. J. Browne. E. Surrey Regt), very fine

The well-documented campaign group of six awarded to Captain F. J. Browne, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, late Middlesex Regiment, who died as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese at Changi on 1 November 1942

He survived the loss of the Tyndareus and then served as a Company Commander whilst his father had commanded the Battalion in North Russia during the Great War and was held 'behind the wire' with his son during the Second World War

British War and Victory Medals (Capt. F. J. Browne.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (Capt. F. J. Browne. Midd'x R.); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, very fine

Three: Private F. J. Browne, East Surrey Regiment, who was taken a Prisoner of War at the Fall of Singapore

1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, very fine (Lot)

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1919. For valuable services in Siberia.

M.I.D. London Gazette 30 April 1919 & 14 January 1920.

Francis John Browne was born in Brighton in January 1870. He enlisted at Chichester on 26 March 1888 into the 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, serving as a Private at Dover and in the Channel Islands until 15 October 1890. He thence served in India from October 1890- February 1903. Browne served as Regimental Sergeant-Major in the East Surrey Regiment until his retirement on 25 March 1909, having completed 21 years service. He was recommended and registered at the War Office for a Meritorious Service Medal. He re-enlisted at the outbreak of the Great War and served as Sergeant-Major to the 9th Battalion and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 6 May 1915 into the 19th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Promoted to Captain and later Major, he was Second-in-Command of the Battalion from 1 August 1915-9 February 1916. He was recommended for a promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel to Command the 26th Battalion on 9 February 1916 but found unfit. Transferred to the 25th Battalion as Major, he was posted for Garrison Duty at Hong Kong and Singapore but on 6 February 1917 was on board the Tyndareus when it was mined off Cape L'Achulas, South Africa. They were rescued by the Hospital Ship Oxfordshire and the S.S. Eumaeus. Landed at Cape Town and were taken to Wynberg for a three week rest and then continued their journey to Hong Kong and Singapore. They left Hong Kong on 27 July 1918 on the Ping Suey headed for Vladivostock, Russia, where he was Second-in-Command. He took command of the Battalion upon the departure of Colonel Ward, who returned to England. He remained in Command until returned to England on 8 October 1919.

Interviewed by the Surrey Comet on 26 April 1919, he gave detail on their time in Russia:

'We boarded the SS Ping Suey, and after a pleasant voyage reached Vladivostock on August 2nd 1918. Here our duty was to guard Important points; Ammunition Dumps and such like. However a more urgent call was made on our services almost immediately after arrival. At this time, the Czech Cossacks and Russians were in a critical position on the Ussari front and calling for British Support.

500 men were thereupon rushed up to the front and immediately came into action. This support by the Batn. gave fresh heart to the Allies and after 3 days fighting, the Bolsheviks force of about 3,000 strong was dispersed.'

He relinquished his Command on completion of service and retained a rank of Major. From the 15 November 1920 he was engaged as Barrack Warden at the Royal Army Service Corps Barracks, West Riding Area, Infantry Barracks, York until his death in November 1930.

Sold together with the following original archive comprising:

(i)
Leave Pass dated 14 August 1896.

(ii)
Certificate of Musketry dated 29 November 1899.

(iii)
Certificate of Education dated 30 September 1902.

(iv)
Discharge certificate dated 25 March 1909.

(v)
Army Form D.401 stamped 19 March 1909.

(vi)
Discharge to Commission certificate dated 5 May 1915.

(vii)
Letter from Lt. Col Ward relating to a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel dated 14 January 1916.

(vii)
Resume of service.

(viii)
Letter from Lt.Col John Ward to the G.O.C. Commanding British Military Mission, Vladivostock, Siberia. Recommending promotion to Lt. Colonel.

(ix)
Warrant for promotion to Warrant Officer dated 11 October 1902.

(x)
Warrant for promotion to Lieutenant dated 6 May 1915.

(xi)
Certificate of Conduct and Ability, Civilian Subordinate dated 15 November 1930.

(xii)
Shooting Prize Medal, engraved (1st Btn East Surrey Regt Best Shot Comptn 1907 3rd Prize).



(xiii)
Aldershot Command Rifle Meeting, engraved (Mrs H.T.Browne. Aldershot 1905).

Francis John Browne was born on 20 November 1896 in Nowgong, India, the son of Major J. F. Browne. At the outbreak of the Great War he enlisted into the Royal Army Medical Corps and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 11 March 1915 into the 11th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. He transferred into the 19th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, thence the 26th Battalion and eventually joined his father in the 25th (Reserve) Battalion on 28 August 1916. He was subsequently promoted to Captain and appointed to command 'D' Company on 1 September 1916. On the 16 December 1916 he was posted with his Company and half the unit for Garrison duty at Singapore. He was on board the Tyndareus with his father when it was mined off Cape L'Achulas, South Africa. They were rescued by the Hospital Ship Oxfordshire and the S.S. Eumaeus. Landed at Cape Town and were taken to Wynberg for a three week rest and then continued their journey to Hong Kong and Singapore. They left Hong Kong on 27 July 1918 on the Ping Suey headed for Vladivostock, Russia. Browne was in Command of 'D' Company throughout the whole campaign and was involved in all actions that the Bn took part in, his MIC confirms Russia as the Theatre of War.

Returned home in mid-1920, he joined the Territorial Army on 26 November 1926 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant into the Royal Army Ordnance Corps the same day. He was called up for General Service on the 24 January 1941 from the T.A. Reserve of Officers into the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and was posted for duty to Singapore as a Captain. Captured by Japanese Forces at the Railway Station, Singapore, he was taken to Birdwood Camp, Changi. Browne died on 1 November 1942 from dysentry, aged 46, and is buried in the Kranji War Cemetery. He was the son of Francis John and Honor Theresa Browne and husband of Letitia Margaret Browne, of Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey.

Sold together with the following original archive comprising:

(i)
Typed interview given by him to the Surrey Comet Reporter in 1920.

(ii)
Buckingham Palace letter offering sympathy from the King and Queen in envelope.

(iii)
Unissued declaration produced by the Japanese not to escape, to be signed and dated by he releavant Prisoner of War.

(iv)
Photograph of his gravestone.

(v)
Booklet entitled The Imperial War Cemeteries of the Far East by Louis Baume on behalf of the Far East Prisoner-of-War Social Club, London.

(vi)
Warrant for Promotion to Second Lieutenant dated 16 March 1915.

(vii)
Warrant for Promotion to Lieutenant dated 26 November 1926.

(xvii)
Diary of Captain Francis John Browne, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, written whilst a Prisoner of War at Changi from the 15 February 1942 to 25 October 1942. Written in the form of a letter to his wife, a most poignant unpublished account of a FEPOW.

(ix)
Second Supplement to The London Gazette dated 20 February 1948, relating to the capitulation of Singapore.

(x)
A copy of the Nippon Times dated Sunday 15 August 1943.

F. J. Browne was the son of F. J. Browne and grandson of F. J. Browne. he was taken a Prisoner of War of the Japanese at the Fall of Singapore and was held at Changi alongside his father, who died of dysentery in November 1942.

Sold together with the following original archive comprising:

(i)
Diary of Private 2323197 F. J. Browne East Surrey Regiment, written whilst he was a Prisoner of War at Changi, from 26 April 1942.

(ii)
Far East P.O.W. Club Badge.

(iii)
Prize medal for Gymnastics engraved (Gymnastics Cpl F.Browne 3rd 1925).

(iv)
Prize medal for Shooting engraved (22" Range Cpl F.Browne 1st 1925).

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Sold for
£2,200

Starting price
£700