Private Robert William Brown
Robert William Brown was born on 13 June 1883 at 142 Argyl Street, Belfast, the first of seven children of van driver Robert Brown and his wife Agnes (nee Beattie). By 1911 he was living with his parents and five siblings at 56 Moyola Street, Belfast, and working as a general labourer.
Brown enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Belfast on 29 November 1910 (No.553). He gave his occupation as cook.
During the regiment's annual camp at Newcastle in July 1914 Brown was stung on the right forearm by a wasp. The injury was treated by the medical officer, Captain Magill, and then at the Mater Hospital, "where six incisions were made in the area".
Brown was mobilised at the beginning of the war. The injury persisted and on 20 September 1914 he was admitted to the Belfast Hospital where it was diagnosed as "inflammation of connective tissue. ... Treated here with sterilized gauze dressings. Wound quite healed but requires exercise and massage for which he is to attend hospital."
After his discharge from the hospital on 24 September, Brown was reported absent without leave for five days.
Brown faced a medical board on 3 November 1914, which found him unfit for further service. He was discharged under paragraph 154(xi) of Special Reserve Regulations on 10 November, his record of service marked as "very good".