Edward John Browning was born in the autumn of 1897 in the Somerset village of Over Stowey. The youngest of five children, his parents were blacksmith-turned-farmer John Browning and his wife, Alice.

By the time of the 1911 census, the family had moved to nearby Colepool Farm in Stogursey. Edward’s older brothers were all supporting their father on the farm, while, at 13 years of age, he was still to complete his schooling.

Details of Edward’s military life are scarce. When war broke out he enlisted, and joined the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry. His troop served on home soil, moving to Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland, by November 1917, and Belfast by the following spring.

Private Browning survived the conflict but had fallen ill by the summer of 1919. He was admitted to the Purdysburn Military Hospital in Belfast. He was suffering from cerebrospinal meningitis, and this was to claim his young life. He passed away there on 9th July 1919, at the age of just 21 years old.

The body of Edward John Browning was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the peaceful graveyard of St Andrew’s Church in Stogursey.

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