Major Robert Geoffrey BROWNE, D.S.O.1st Manchesters

[hildergen]

Major Browne appears on our village War Memorial at Barcombe (Sussex). He died on Friday 1st November 1918, aged 37. He served in the first Manchesters from October 1901 until his death in November 1918. According to a contemporary parish newsletter, he is believed to have been given the honour of hoisting the flag over Baghdad when British forces entered the city on 11th March 1917.
Does anyone know of a photograph of him or of the raising of the flag?[/size][/size][/size]

[tisgrannie]

Hello and Welcome
This is the listing on CWGC. Not much info on there. I will check his service records and see what I can find.
regards
tisgrannie



Name: BROWNE, ROBERT GEOFFREY
Initials: R G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Major
Regiment/Service: Manchester Regiment
Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Date of Death: 01/11/1918
Awards: D S O
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 65.
Cemetery: ST. GERMAIN-AU-MONT-D'OR COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

[mack]

major browne was commissioned a 2/Lt in the manchesters,on 10th oct 1901,then promoted to lieutenant on 5-10-1903,he served in the boer war,in 1901,awarded the kings south africa medal with two clasps,DSO london gazette,on 22-8-18
born 1881
married at ashton under lyne,in 1907
attended radley college
played cricket for the radley XI
landed in france,on 27th aug 1914
awarded 1914 star[clasps+emblems]war and victory medals.
died of influenza,on 1-11-18
aged 38

ime not sure about the flag raising,i thought it was private gilbert kirkin,who raised the flag over baghdad

mack