Brownbridge Harry George Fusilier 4278538
Personnel Entry
Name Brownbridge Harry George
Army number 4278538
Rank Fusilier
Decorations None known.
Date of birth 8/12/1911. Birth registered Q1 1912, Auckland District, County Durham. Mother's maiden surname Clayden.
Age 32 at the time of his death.
Unit Enlisted in the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. Posted to the 9th Battalion. Served B.E.F.? Served Malaya. DIED at sea 12/9/1944, having embarked from Singapore, whilst a prisoner of the Japanese and being transported to Japan on the Rakuyo Maru, which was sunk by an Allied submarine. Reported MISSING by the Japanese.
Company/Battery Y Company.
Platoon or other sub-unit
Task or role Not yet known.
Joined Brigade
Promotions None known.
Wounded Not as far as is known.
Prisoner of War Yes - captured 15/2/1942 at Singapore when the force was surrendered.
Died/Killed in action DIED 12/9/1944 - drowned at sea. Commemorated on Column 46 of the Singapore Memorial as presumably Harry's remains were unable to be recovered.
Home address Son of John and Jane Brownbridge (1870 - 1922). Husband of Mary Brownbridge (nee Ellwood) of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland. At the time of the 1939 General Register Harry was working at a precast concrete factory as a Lorry Driver and Mechanic and living with his wife at 6, Seaton Avenue, Newbiggin-by-the-sea.
Source table
Fusilier Brownbridge was not included on the Battalion Part II Orders of September 1945, listing the casualties in custody, but details of his death became available later. To read an IWM article on these sinkings please click here.