Obery Archibald Brown

Story:
Obery Archibald Brown was born in 1891 in Cann. He was the son of Samuel Brown, a miller's labourer, and Clara Brown (née Moore), who died in 1899 in Shaftesbury. The family lived at Cann Common, Shaftesbury.  At the time of the 1911 Census he was working as a cowman and living at Cann Common, Shaftesbury.

He enlisted in Lewisham, Kent as a Private in the 8th Battalion of The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) (Service No. G//18285). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals.  He died on 19th March 1917 and was buried at Bruay Communal Cemetery Extension, Bruay, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. D.9). His Next of Kin was his sister Louisa Steele, Park Farm, Twyford, Dorset. His father, Samuel, died in the last quarter of 1917, just months after his son. He is remembered as "Archibald Brown" on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury. One of his brothers, Bertram George (b.1895) died on 4th April 1915 while a prisoner of war. Three more brothers served in the war and returned: Harry (b.1885), William Thomas (b.1888) and Cyril (b.1894).