Argyll soldier added to university roll of honour
A Tarbert soldier awarded the Military Cross for gallantry is to be honoured for his part in the First World War, with his name being added to Glasgow University’s roll of honour.
Archibald Campbell Brown was born on March 4, 1886 in Tarbert, the son of James, the late postmaster in Tarbert, and Margaret Brown, living at Dunalasdair, Tarbert.
Biographical information on the university’s website, by John Houston, a member of the Scottish Military Research Group states Archibald attended Tarbert high school before studying at Glasgow University, matriculating in 1904/05, and graduating with a master of arts in 1906.
After graduating, Archibald attended teacher training college and is commemorated on the Jordanhill Teacher Training College Memorial. He enlisted in the 17th Highland Light Infantry in September 1914 and served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders in 1915.
After returning home in December 1916, he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, 14th (Service) Bn., Princess Louise’s, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on April 26, 1917, and, after a period of training at Alston Hall and Holbeton, Reading, he went back to France that September, and was killed in action on April 20, 1918, aged 32.
He was awarded the MC (London Gazette, September 16, 1918) for gallant and distinguished service in the field.
An officer wrote: ‘He was one of the bravest men who joined Kitchener’s Army.’
His citation entry in the London Gazette, dated September 13, 1918 read: ‘T./2nd Lt. Archibald Brown, Arg. & Suth’d Highrs, For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer, in command of a fighting patrol, was ordered to clear the enemy out of a strong point in an advanced trench.
‘On reaching the trench the patrol came under very heavy machine-gun fire; he at once dashed forward with his men and succeeded in putting three guns out of action, killing the teams, and bringing back a prisoner.
‘Though wounded, he continued to do duty during the remainder of the operations.’
Second Lieutenant Brown is buried at Agny-les-Duisans, Etaus near Arras, northern France.
As well as the Jordanhill memorial, 2nd Lieutenant Brown is commemorated on the Tarbert Memorial. Others being honoured alongside Archibald are a successful rugby player who was capped for Scotland, a respected doctor and family man, as well as a grocer’s son who cut short his studies to join the war effort, and a secondary school teacher.
These men were among the fallen of the First World War whose names, until now, were missing from the University of Glasgow’s Roll of Honour.
Researchers at the university identified the 19 additional names by using digital resources and confirmed their connection to the university using student records held by the University of Glasgow Archives.
Now, 100 years after the war, their names will be carved in stone alongside those of the men and women already remembered in the university Memorial Chapel, and their families invited to memorial services on Remembrance Sunday, on November 11, 2018.
Katie McDonald, Researcher with the College of Arts, University of Glasgow, said: ‘We are still piecing together the stories behind the names of the fallen and ask anyone who has any information about them and any pictures of them to get in touch.’
The university is asking people who have any more information, family stories or pictures related to the 19 additional names to get in touch with the chapel by calling: 0141 330 5419 or email: chaplaincy@glasgow.ac.uk
To view the records the university holds on the fallen, contact archives@glasgow.ac.uk or call 0141 330 5515.