Private David Brown

David Brown was born on 15 March 1901 at Bellaghy, Magherafelt, County Londonderry, the third of four children of cattle dealer (later spirit merchant) James Brown and his wife Jane (Jennie) (née Diamond). His mother and two of his siblings died in 1904 and his father six years later. At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Bellaghy with his grandmother, an uncle, and his brother.

Brown enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Belfast on 6 June 1917, reporting for duty at Antrim the same day, where he was issued regimental number 2473. He gave his occupation as farm labourer, and his age as 19 (though he was in fact just 16).

Soon after, however, Brown's true age was discovered, and on 28 August 1917 he was discharged, 'having made a mis-statement as to age on enlistment, soldier under 17 years of age at date of application for discharge' (paragraph 392(vi)(a), King's Regulations). His military character was recorded as 'good. ... sober honest and hardworking during his 84 days' service.'