From the Burnt Records, Peter Inns & Kay Collins

When he was just 17 years and 1 month old, James Brawn signed up for four years service in the Territorial Army on 18th February 1913. He was then 5'3" tall with a 33" chest, had brown hair and eyes, scars on his chin and between his shoulder blades, a fresh complexion and was working as a shoe hand. James was born on the 28th August 1895 in Raunds and had two brothers, but was now living at Refuge Terrace in Higham Ferrers. His faith was Wesleyan.

On March 2nd 1914 he was examined again and had grown to 5' 4¾", weighing 105 pounds, and applied for a transfer from the 3rd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment Reserve. In July the same year he was examined for a third time and was then 5' 5" tall weighing 116 pounds. On the 12th July 1914, now aged 18 years, he joined the 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment and was sent to France with the Expeditionary Force.

A gun shot wound to the head on 11th January 1915 was treated at No 4 Casualty Hospital in Lilles and was moved to St Omer for convalescence on the same day. One week later he was discharged and went back to his unit.

Private James Brawn was killed in action on May 9th 1915 at Aubers Ridge.