Started 22/1/22
I am interested in corresponding with anyone who is researching this officer, Lieutenant John Forrester Brownrigg "JFB" of 1/5th Battalion The Sherwood Foresters, or his possible wider family of ancestors and descendants. He was killed in the fighting just hours before the surrender of Singapore on February 15, 1942. I do have some very interesting material about him and the events of his death from original Sherwood Forester documents.
I am assuming that he is related (perhaps as nephew as opposed to direct descendant) to:
Lieutenant General Sir Wellesley Douglas Studholme Brownrigg KCB DSO (21 April 1886 – 7 February 1946) a senior British Army officer who became Military Secretary. He was commissioned into the 1st Battalion, the Sherwood Foresters in 1905. He became adjutant of his regiment in 1910.
I do know that he was the stepson of:
Admiral Sir Tom Spencer Vaughan Phillips, K.C.B
Per Wikipedia: Admiral Sir Tom Spencer Vaughan Phillips, KCB (19 February 1888 – 10 December 1941) was a Royal Navy officer who served during the First and Second World Wars. He was nicknamed "Tom Thumb", due to his short stature. He is best known for his command of Force Z during the Japanese invasion of Malaya, where he went down with his flagship, the battleship HMS Prince of Wales. Phillips was one of the highest ranking Allied officers killed in battle during the Second World War.
I believe that his father was John H Brownrigg (deceased between 1916 and 1946).
His mother's maiden name was Gladys Metcalfe Griffith-Griffin or Griffith Griffin, daughter of Captain F G Griffith-Griffin, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry of Dalwood, South Devon. Prior to her marriage to Sir Tom Spencer Vaughan Phillips, a subsequent marriage, she was married to John H Brownrigg (deceased between 1916 and 1919). Later she was known as Lady Phillips of Bude, Cornwall.
The name of Theomary Arnold, of Tolworth, Surbiton, possibly a cousin, friend or other relative, also appears in some correspondence dated 1960.
Update: 8/2/2022
Investigations have pointed to the following likely facts:
- "JFB" was born in Alberta Canada in
1918(?circa 1916-18) - His father was John H Brownrigg born 23/2/1886 and was killed at Oliphant Mines (Coal) Alberta on May 14 1918. It is likely that he was born in Bishops Auckland, County Durham and in the 1901 census was living at Newton Cap County Durham. In the 1901 census he was living at Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, with his father, also John, and mother Eva. In the 1916 Alberta census he is recorded as "John H J G Brownrigg" (maybe a transcription error)
- There was a second son Cecil Donald Brownrigg who was born in Alberta Canada 22 October 1918.
- Cecil Donald Brownrigg was a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy. He is believed to have died in 1986. He was engaged (Times 6/7/1948) to Miss Valerie P Gowland daughter of Mr and Mrs C Gowland of Manor Farm, Beachampton, Bucks.
- John Forrester and Cecil Donald are recorded as passing through Canada/US border immigration and Vermont Immigration in 1919 with their widowed mother Gladys Metcalfe Brownrigg (later Lady Phillips), presumably on the return to the UK.
- As at 6/7/1948 Lady Phillips was recorded as living at 7 Dingli Street, Sliema, Malta.
Update: 9/2/2022
John M Brownrigg born 1950 (Kensington District). He married a girl of maiden name Hughman in Wandsworth (District) in 1978.Ivan A J Brownrigg born 1952. Gosport (District). He was at Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe in 1964. He married a girl of maiden name Sweeting in Cleveland, Yorks. (District) in 1991.
Update: 10/2/2022
I have made contact with Ivan A J Brownrigg as above, He confirms he has a sister Ianthe O G Blake (nee Brownrigg) born 1961. (British Armed Forces, Malta Registry) and will put me in touch with her.Please will you contact me at aspdin@gmail.com if you come across this post whilst researching any of the above persons.
