6416 Sgt William Brown 2nd Manchesters, alias Edwin Evans

[charlie962]

MIC shows 6416 Pte then a/Sgt William Brown 2nd Manchesters 1914 Star BWM Vic. Qualifying date 27/10/14

CWG shows Sgt 2nd Manchesters died 10/7/16, aged 46, commem on Thiepval Memorial.

SDGW adds Born Salford, Enlisted Manchester, Killed in Action.

Soldiers Effects shows 6416 William Brown had an ALIAS. Edwin Evans. His widow is one Annie Evans(crossed out) Brown

I have searched service records for William Brown unsuccessfully. I have now tried for Edwin Evans but there are 171 records coming up.

I wonder if there are Manchesters experts out there who can interpret this "Alias" and perhaps help me find a service record?

I presume his qualifying date should mean he was entitled to the clasp?

[Glen]

If all his records are under the name of William Brown, I would think that his true name only came to light after his death. I would think that any research into the 171 Edwin Evans's would be fruitless.

[charlie962]

I hear what you say.Given his age at death is it possible that he was a reservist rather than a regular? I just thought perhaps his previous service might have been under another name. perhaps I must accept I wont find a service record. William Browns exist in greater numbers than Edwin Evans so it is a bit needle in a haystack anyway. Thanks

[ss002d6252]

#6416 appears to be from around 1900 so it would be suggestive that he was either a discharged ex-soldier who re-enlisted or a man who had seen out his 12 years and continued in service.

Craig

[johnboy]

For peace of mind I would look at the 171 Edwin Evans and see if a reference to his wife is there.

[johnboy]

If all his records are under the name of William Brown, I would think that his true name only came to light after his death. I would think that any research into the 171 Edwin Evans's would be fruitless.

On the BWM & V medal roll he is listed as A/Sgt William Brown dated 9/12/21. If his true name was known on Soldiers Effects records it is strange that the roll does not reflect this.

[ss002d6252]

On the BWM & V medal roll he is listed as A/Sgt William Brown dated 9/12/21. If his true name was known on Soldiers Effects records it is strange that the roll does not reflect this.

As far as I'm aware the medals would always be issued under his 'army name' which he served under - I've noticed the real names of the person is often noted on the soldiers effects records, presumably as the relative claiming the payout would be under a different name and the note was made for future reference.

Craig

[johnboy]

I wondered why a payment was made to his widow Annie Brown 13/12/16 and another to Annie Evans in 4/10/19 and not noted on the medal roll dated 1921.

I'll pm you shortly on something on your other research.

[8055Bell]

I wondered why a payment was made to his widow Annie Brown 13/12/16 and another to Annie Evans in 4/10/19 and not noted on the medal roll dated 1921.

I'll pm you shortly on something on your other research.

Could this simply be the fact that Annie remarried a Mr Evans and the Soldiers Effects records have another error?

[ss002d6252]

Could this simply be the fact that Annie remarried a Mr Evans and the Soldiers Effects records have another error?

I have seen a similar case a couple of months or so ago where it appeared the alias had caused a duplicate payment - likely easy done with the records at the time.

Craig

[johnboy]

Could this simply be the fact that Annie remarried a Mr Evans and the Soldiers Effects records have another error?

Yes it could but it would not account for the alias. Even if her son took her new married name why change his Christian name as well?

[charlie962]

Soldiers Effects has his name marked as William Brown, alias Edwin Evans so it can't be anything to do with has wife remarrying. I dont know if it implies his previous service would be found under Brown or Evans(but surely an old army number from c 1900 would keep the same enrolled name ie Brown?) or is other info like age-on-death (accepted by CWG) unreliable? It is also clear from other examples that aliases are not uncommon. I will trawl slowly through Brown and Evans ..... Thanks for the input.

[johnboy]

Do you now where he lived? 1911 Census?

[charlie962]

Haven't tried yet. With a birth date c 1870 at Salford Lancs I can try to work forward (presumably under Evans) but otherwise I have no location info. I'll do this now..

[Glen]

Teach me to read the full post (and absorb the info) - I have only just seen he was a Salford lad.

Have a look at the excellent Salford War Memorials Website

http://www.google.com/cse?cx=007440523295325074262:yt09zkd4fy0&q=%22William%20Brown%22&oq=%22William%20Brown%22&gs_l=partner.3...273165.285166.2.285708.27.16.10.0.0.2.174.1447.14j2.16.0.gsnos%2Cn%3D13...0.11095j39480203j19..1ac.1.25.partner..44.0.0.MGbokuIdRHI#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=%22William%20Brown%22&gsc.page=1

[charlie962]

Thank you Glen. I loked at this impressive well researched site but found no William Brown that matched. There were 2 marked as unidentified or unable to pinpoint.

[charlie962]

Just adding link to WFA pension cards now available (as there is work being done on alias by WFA)

Edwin Evans alias Brown      widow Annie, 10, North Kent St Manchester

William Brown alias Edwin Evans   widow Annie Evans, 63 Husband St, Collyhurst Manchester; b 2/4/92

 

I think card says annie died 1932 ?

 

Which now leads to a son Cyril Evans on 1939 Register, I think, b 16/3/16 (ie 4 mths before Edwin died) although no children mentioned on Pension Card ?

His death possibly registered Q1 1980 burnley and Pendle

Edited 15 February , 2020 by charlie962