TEIGNMOUTH & SHALDON

Awarded the Military Medal, the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal

James George Browning was born on the 18th of September 1890 to parents James Henry, a Mariner, and Harriet.

In 1891, James and his family were boarding at Dagmar Street, Shaldon.

James' father died in 1894 from drowning.

James Henry drowned off Teignmouth 1894

The Boating Fatality off Teignmouth.

An inquest was held yesterday by Dr. Fraser, Deputy-Coroner, touching the death of James Browning, a Shaldon fisherman, who was drowned off Teignmouth by the capsizing of his boat. It is supposed that a squall upset the boat, which was found floating on her side, the deceased being caught by his line. A verdict of "Accidentally drowned" was returned. Deceased leaves a widow and two children.

In 1901, James, his mother, Harriett, now a widow and a domestic nurse, and sister Florence Maud, were living at Crown Square, Middle Street, Shaldon.

Western Times 19th of April 1904

Theft of Coal by Teignmouth boys

Four boys of Teignmouth, varying in age from 8 to 13, and names Charles Haynes, Charles Bennett, Walter Hooper, and James Browning, appeared in the dock yesterday at Teignmouth to answer a charge of stealing 80lbs of coal, valued at 10d, the property of Mr. George Player.
Prosecutor said he lost coal from his stores at an average of 1 1/2 ton a week. He had placed men to try to catch the thieves.
Henry Dawe, in the employ of prosecutor, said he saw Bennett and Browning on the roof throwing out the coal from the master's stores, while the other two boys were collecting it and placing it in bags. He ran after the boys, who dropped the bags.

Cross-examined by the mother of one of the defendants, witness said that a boy names Pile was not on the roof with the other boys.
P.C. Friendship said that Haynes, after being cautioned, said Browning and Bennett went into the store by the sky-light, and threw out the coal for the other two to pick up.
The other agreed to this statement, Hooper adding that he was taking the coal home.
Each defendant pleaded guilty, but denied that the weight of the coal was so much as 80lbs.
Bennett and Hooper, the two younger boys, were ordered each to receive six strokes with the birch, the elder each twelve strokes, the Chairman remarking that it would do them all good.

In 1911, Harriett has remarried, Jansen, and living at 1, Old Quay Street, Teignmouth with James and Florrie (Florence). James is a Merchant Sailor, Ordinary Seaman.

James attested on the 8th of September 1914 at Exeter. James was 5' 9" tall, 133lbs, fair complexion with grey eyes and light brown hair.

TO B.E.F. 30th of January 1916. To the British Expeditionary Force.

James was wounded on the 28th of August 1916, fractured left clavicle or broken collarbone, and admitted to hospital on the 4th of September 1916, discharged on the 22nd of September 1916.

James was posted to the 10th Devons on the 9th of October 1916.

James embarked for the UK on the 8th of March 1917, a candidate for admission to the Cadet Corps with a view to a temporary Commission.

Appointed Lance Corporal on the 12th of December 1917.

Reported missing on the 26th of March 1918, Prisoner of War, Germany.

Repatriated at Dover on the 12th of December 1918.

James George Browning awarded the Military Medal 1918

11319 Lance Corporal J. Browning MM (Teignmouth) - For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an enemy attack a heavy barrage had been put down in rear of a position, and the ground was swept by machine-gun fire. Finding a man badly wounded, he bandaged and carried him back through the barrage to the dressing station behind. He did this on two occasions. His courage and coolness under heavy machine-gun and shell fire was most marked. (3.9.19)

James was demobilized on the 17th of March 1919, his home address is listed as, 13, Model Cottages, Daimonds Lane, Teignmouth.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 17 March 1919

James G. Browning, wearing the Mons ribbon, the Military Medal, and the D.C.M., and who had been a prisoner of war...
This article was included to show that James had been awarded the Military Medal and the D.C.M. and to show what he must have been through and his state of mind.

James George Browning died at sea aboard the vessel, Janie, on the 10th of December 1919.