WW1 Hidden tale of the Great War
Amateur historian uncovers family’s story
The story of a Lanarkshire First World War soldier, who later emigrated to North America, has been uncovered by an Uddingston history enthusiast.
James Mccall Brown first went to Detroit in the mid-1920s before moving to Windsor, Ontario, Canada, where his descendants live to this day.
He was a trooper in the Royal Scots Greys, but was discharged from military service in 1917 through sickness. He died in Canada aged 33 in 1928.
The soldier’s story was discovered by electrician Stuart Jack, who has been examining the records of village Masonic Lodge St Bryde 579.
While looking into the story through the Ancestry website, Stuart was helped by James Mccall Brown’s great granddaughter Stacie Bisnett (nee Brown) who lives in Windsor, Ontario.
Stuart (32) said: “It’s remarkable that after all these years stories, which have lain hidden for so long in lodge and family history, have come to light. Through sources available online we can all learn about an important era, but this exercise has been particularly great as Stacie and myself have been able to help each other uncover the story despite living thousands of miles away. Stacie knew a lot about her great grandfather and her family have pictures and documents that James brought to Canada with him.”
The Browns were originally from Motherwell, but moved to 82 Main Street, Uddingston, in
Alastair Mcneill
James Mccall Brown owned his own butcher shop on Uddingston Main Street.
However, it is not known whether he had worked in the butcher’s before he went off to war.
The premises are now occupied by Uddingston Model Centre beside the Two Chimneys pub.
After he arrived in Canada in the 1920s James opened a butcher shop in the 1900s. They were iron worker Robert Brown senior (b1863), his wife Jeannie Moffat (b1865), Robert junior (b1892), William Moffat Brown (b1893) and James Mccall Brown (b1896).
James enlisted on September 6, 1914, joining the Royal Scots Greys, but was discharged in April 1917. His brother, William Moffat Brown, was a lance corporal in the Cameron Highlanders and was killed in action in 1916, aged 23. He is remembered on the Thiepval war memorial in Northern France.
A third son, Robert junior, emigrated with brother James and settled in Michigan. James Brown and brother Robert became members of Uddingston Masonic Lodge St Bryde after the war.
The Hamilton Advertiser, dated December 16, 1916, states: ‘Information has been received by Mrs Brown, 82 Main Street, Uddingston, from captain of the company that her son lancecorporal William Moffat Brown, Cameron Highlanders killed in action.
‘The deceased was only 23 and was the son of the late Robert Boyd Brown of Glasgow and Motherwell. He enlisted on November 11, 1914, went to the front on March 11, 1915, was wounded twice, and previously to joining was in employment of Mr Wm. Kilmartin Wine and Spirit Merchants, Motherwell. His brother James Mccall Brown is a trooper in the Royal Scots Greys and is on active service.’ has been