Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Goorfoot Brown a painter, born 1858 in Barsby, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Georgina Brown (nee Simmons, married on the 25th September 1881 in St. Mary’s Church, Humberstone, Leicester), born 1860 in Brailes, Warwickshire. Owen Francis P., was born on the 7th November 1895 and in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 19th January 1908 in the Parish Church, Melton Mowbray, his siblings were Alice Flassy, born 1882 and baptised on the 15th November 1885 in the Parish Church, Melton Mowbray, Ethel Sally, born 1892 and baptised on the 18th June 1893 in the Parish Church, Melton Mowbray and Reuben Charles Willie, born 4th June 1893 and baptised on the 19th January 1908 in the Parish Church, Melton Mowbray, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in March 1901 the family home was at 16, Ann Street, Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Owen was employed as a painter and was residing in the family home at 16, Ann Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a painter, his mother and siblings, Ethel, a boot trade worker and Reuben, a painter. Owen was registered at birth with the third Christian name initial P, however at his baptism he was recorded with the third name as Frederick. Owen was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
On Friday November 9th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS.” – Official lists on Tuesday disclosed heavy losses in the Leicestershire Regiment as follow: Officers wounded 3, men killed 54, died of wounds 16, wounded 323, total 390. Local men in other units; Killed 7, died of wounds 1, wounded 15, and missing 2, making a total of 415. They included the following:- WOUNDED. LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Brown, 241255 Corpl. O. F. F. (Melton Mowbray).
The War Diary records: 18 May-18 - BRANDHOEK. All Companies continued previous work and in addition “C” Company works a party clearing communication trench repairing in H.29.c. and d. 4 men were killed and 11 were wounded on the works of “D” Company.
On Friday June 14th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTON SOLDIER’S DEATH FROM WOUNDS. Corpl. Owen Francis Fred Brown, Leicester’s, has died from wounds received on May 28th. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Brown, 16, Ann-street, Melton Mowbray, and before enlisting in the local Territorial’s in November, 1914, he assisted his father in the painting and paper hanging business. In a letter conveying the sad intelligence to deceased’s mother Lieut. H. Green said: “I much regret to have to write and tell you that your son, Corpl. O. F. F. Brown, was wounded and died from wounds last night. I am glad to say that he did not suffer any pain, as he was unconscious after being hit. He was the best N.C.O. we had in the Company. His motto was always “Duty first.” He never did any work without putting his whole heart into it, and you, I am sure will be proud to think that he has died doing his duty. We can ill afford to lose such men as he was. It is very hard to lose a good son, but you, I am sure, like other mothers, will bear up as the son would have you do it.” The -?- John M. Williams, chaplain to the forces, also wrote a sympathetic letter to Mrs. Brown in which he said “Your son was out on night work with his platoon, and a shell burst, killing three men instantaneously, and fatally wounding your son. The wound was so severe that he felt no pain, and cried to his officer “Good luck, sir, to you and the rest of the men.” He passed away peacefully as he was being carried on a stretcher to the first aid post. His officers had a great opinion of him, and he was a splendid influence among the men, and they all liked him. We had an impressive service at the cemetery in which we laid his body to rest. The whole of his Company attended at the graveside. We his comrades, deeply sympathise with you in your loss.” Deceased who was 22 years of age, had previously been slightly wounded in the head. His elder brother is serving with the Durham Light Infantry.