Lance Corporal Richard Brown MM

P/2789 , Military Foot Police

Born 1887, 1 Low Rake, Glenridding.  

Son of Richard and Ann (nee Lishman) Brown of  1 Low Rake Glenridding

Married Annie Fisher July 1921 in Kendal

Father of Leslie Brown (1923-1970)

Richard Brown was born in Glenridding in 1887, one of the eldest children of Richard and Ann (nee Lishman) Brown. Richard’s father was a miner at Greenside  mine,  and  was originally from Devonshire but along with many others moved up to Glenridding to work at the mine. When Richard was born his parents weren’t married and so he was baptised Richard Lishman on the 11th October 1887, when his mother was working as a housekeeper at Rattlebeck Cottage.  Ann already had a daughter, Elizabeth, born in 1885 whilst Ann was living at Deepdale Bridge, and we believe another son, John. Ann and Richard senior married on the 28th July 1889 at St Patrick;s Patterdale. Sadly Richard senior died  at Rattlebeck Cottage on 10th April 1895 and Annie and the children moved to 1 Low Rake. By 1901 Annie was living there with John Lishman (listed as her son), Richard, his sister Caroline (born 1890), Alfred (born 1891), James (born 1893), and William (born  1894). We believe that 2 other children (Frank and Harling) died in infancy in 1892 and 1893. Richard would have attended Patterdale School with his siblings and then we believe he broke with family tradition and rather than go to Greenside mine he joined the police force.

Richard enlisted into the Military Foot Police on the 17th Nov 1915 at Aldershot. He recovered from a  bout of influenza in January 1916  and left Southampton aboard the SS Teviot on 26th March 1916, arriving in Rouen on 28th March 1916. He joined for duty with the 1st Army at Havre 30th March 1916, and was still serving with the 1st Army at Aire  in February 1917. On 21st Sept 1918 he joined the 5th Army, and we know from the London Gazette that in January 1919 he was awarded the Military Medal. He was finally demobilised in October 1919.

On his return it appears that he initially moved to Maryport, and then to Kirkby Lonsdale (from where he applied for his War and Victory Medals). He married Annie Fisher in July 1921 in Kendal, where we believe Richard continued his career as a policeman.  His son Leslie was born 26th June 1923 in Kendal, and Leslie married in April 1949 Margaret Dickinson.  Leslie died in 1970 aged 47, and Margaret died in July 2005 in Brampton. We’re not sure when Richard died but believe that his career may have ended when he was the last policeman stationed at Eamont Bridge by Penrith.

Many of Richard’s siblings continued to live and work in Glenridding, including his youngest brother William, who married Catherine in January 1921, and whose son Alfred is the father of Philip Brown, who continues to live in Glenridding with his mother Betty, and is Church Warden at St Patrick’s Church. We have also had contact with Richard’s sister’s great grandson for which we are grateful.

If you can add anything to the story of Richard or his family please contact us.

Richard’s Military Medal award in the London Gazette