Mark Brownlow

Mark was the son of James Brownlow and Mary Brownlow nee Holdroyd. According to the information they provided on the 1911 Census, James and Mary had been married for 38 years and had had 11 children of whom 10 were still living at the time of the census. However, only nine children were named on the census between 1891 and 1911; Thomas (b. 1875), Eliza (b. 1878), Wallace (b. 1880), Mark (b. 1881), George (b. 1886), Arthur (b. 1888), Annie (b. 1890), Alfred (b. 1893) and Frederick (b. 1898). All the children were born in Nottingham. In 1891 the family was living at 25 Mount Pleasant, Basford. James was a coal miner. Seven children were at home on the night of the census; Thomas (15), a lacemaker, Eliza (13), Wallace (10), Mark (9), George (5), Arthur (2) and Annie (1). Also in the household were James' parents-in-law, William Holdroyd (71) a framework knitter) and Eliza Holdroyd (72). By 1901 the family was living at 70 Bailey Street, Basford. Seven children were still at home; Thomas (25) a lace warehouseman, Wallace (20) a hosiery bleacher), Mark (19) a mechanical engineer, George (15), Annie (11), Alfred (7) and Frederick (2). William Holroyd (82) was still living with the family. On 27 August 1903 James' eldest son, Thomas, married Ellen Brown at the Methodist New Conection Chapel, Nottingham. In October the same year Mark joined the Royal Navy and by the time of the 1911 Census was serving at HMS Mercury, Portsmouth, although on the night of the census he was a visitor in the home of Frederick Hobbs, an engine fitter, at 54 Edmund Road, Southsea, Hampshire. By 1911 Mark's parents had moved to 65 Vernon Avenue, Old Basford; only George (25) a coal miner, Annie (21) a lace finisher/machinst) and Frederick (12) were still at home. Alfred (18) had already joined the Royal Field Artillery and was in Lille Barracks, Marlborough Lines, Aldershot, with the 116th Battery. Alfred married Minnie Newton in 1912; she later married Sam Taylor (1920). Arthur (22), a twist hand (lace maker), was a boarder at 12 Park Street, Heanor, in the household of William (60) and Jane Holdroyd (60), who may have been related to Arthur's mother. Wallace Brownlow (30) a hosiery bleacher, was living at 53 Springfield Street, Basford, with his wife of 5 years, Agnes (28), and their son Mark (2). Wallace died on 16 June 1955 aged 74. Thomas and Ellen Brownlow who were married in 1903 were living at 137 Vernon Road, Basford. Mark's brother 62210 Bombadier Alfred Brownlow joined the Royal Field Artillery before the war and was killed in action on 24 March 1918 serving with the 71st Battery, 36th Brigade (Arras Memorial). He was 25 years old. Their brother, Thomas, attested in December 1915 when he was 40 years 5 months old, and was transferred to the Army Reserve on 10 December 1915 (155655 Private, RAMC). He was not mobilized until 12 July 1918; he was demobilized on 9 March 1919 to 137 Vernon Avenue, Old Basford.

In 1901 he was a mechanical engineer. He was an engine fitter and tuner when he joined the Royal Navy on 22 October 1903. He had been employed by Messrs. W Rollinson and Sons Ltd.

Mark joined the Royal Navy on 22 October 1903 on a 12 year engagement. He served in the following ships and shore establishments: Firequeen II, 22 October 1903-24 October 1904; HMS Halcyon, 25 October 1904-20 February 1905; HMS Lavona, 21 February 1905-1 March 1905; Firequeen, 2 March 1905-31 March 1905; Victory II, 1 April 1905-28 July 1905; (-), 29 July 1904-6 March 1906; (1), 7 March 1906-17 April 1906; HMS Mercury, 18 April 1906-19 May 1908; HMS Bonaventure, 20 May 1908-27 July 1908; HMS Mercury, 28 July 1908-31 December 1908; HMS Bonaventure, 1 January 1909-15 June 1909; HMS Vulcan, 16 June 1909-3 August 1909; HMS Mercury, 4 August 1909-25 November 1909; (-), 26 November 1909-29 January 1911; HMS Vulcan, 30 January 1911-27 February 1911; HMS Mercury 28 February 1911-3 April 1911; HMS Cochrane, 4 April 1911-8 April 1913; HMS Fisgard, 9 April 1913-23 May 1913; HMS Vernon, 24 May 1913-30 July 1914; HMS Good Hope, 31 July 1914-1 November1914. His Naval record is annotated, ‘NP 2788/14. DD [Discharged Dead] . 1 Nov. 1914. Lost when HMS Good Hope was sunk in action off Chilean Coast.’ HMS Good Hope was lost with all hands at the Battle of Coronel. Mark's body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour' (abridged), 27 November 1914: 'Brownlow. Lost off Chilean coast, November 1st, on HMS Good Hope, Mark Brownlow ERA, son of Mr and Mrs Brownlow, 65 Vernon Avenue, Basford.' Nottingham Evening Post, 21 January 1915: ‘Making the New Army. Recruits from Nottingham Firms. Messrs. W Rollinson and Sons, Ltd. Eight men have joined the army and in addition four who were apprenticed with the firm are serving in the navy as engine-room artificers. Another (Mark Brownlow) went down with the Good Hope. The majority of workmen left are above military age.’ (britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 'In memoriam', 1 November 1915: 'Brownlow ERA Mark Brownlow of HMS Good Hope. Father, mother, brothers, sisters.' Probate 12 January 1915. Brownlow Mark of 65 Vernon-avenue Old Basford Nottingham engine room artificer RN died 1 November 1914 at sea. Administration Nottingham 12 January to James Brownlow (-). Effects £262 14s. 4d. Probate: Brownlow Wallace [brother] of Braddock House, Strelley, d. 16 June 1955, City Hospital, Administration to Mark Brownlow [son] foreman dyer. Effects £206 8s. 9d.