WILLIAM DALRYMPLE BRODIE BROWN

William Dalrymple Brodie Brown was born on 4th December 1870 in Old Machar, Aberdeen, the son of Charles Brown (b.1835) and Barbara Brown (nee Brodie, b.1832). His parents had married nearly five years earlier on 2nd January 1866. Barbara's father is recorded on their marriage certificate as "Joseph Brodie, Seaman (Master) - Merchant Service - deceased". He is understood to have founded a naval training school in Aberdeen. Her mother's name was also Barbara (maiden name Robb). Charles is listed as a commercial traveller (ironmongery). His parents' details are "John Brown. Shoemaker (Master) (deceased)" and "Margaret Brown, maiden surname Mennie". More than one source has suggested that there was parental opposition to the marriage on the Brodie side, the match perhaps not being quite what they'd had in mind for their daughter, despite which the couple were apparently very happy. [1]

The 1881 Census shows Charles and Barbara living at 26 Ferryhill Place, Old Machar, probably a tenement flat since several other families are listed at the same address, however they had 4 rooms with at least one window. Charles was by this time an Auctioneer and Appraiser. They had four children, Charles B (aged 13); Barbara A.B. (aged 11); William (aged 10); and Matthew (aged 7). [2]

By 1891 they had moved to 8 Affleck Street, Old Machar, Charles' occupation now listed as Bookkeeper, but Charles B. does not appear, so he must by now have set up his own abode. Barbara, now 21, was a self-employed music teacher. William, now 20, was an apprentice Marine Engineer and Matthew, now 17, an Apprentice Mercantile Clerk.

Charles & Jessie

No records of Charles and Barbara have been found in the 1901 Census, by which time they would have been well into their 60s, although it is known that Barbara lived on until the early 1920s. Nor does William appear, which suggests that he had already followed in the footsteps of many of his fellow Aberdonians of the era and made his way to India, ending up as a District Engineer in Darjeeling . [3] Charles Brodie Brown and Jessie McKenzie Wilson had married two years earlier in 1899, and they are listed at 27 Dufhie [?] Terrace, with their daughter Jessie M.B., aged 3 months. Charles is listed as a "Commission Agent, Tea etc (self-employed)", suggesting a continuing link with his brother, who possibly had a commercial side-line.

William had four children, a boy named Charles Ian, born c. 1906, and three girls, the eldest named (like his sister, mother and grandmother) Barbara. [4]

The story goes that William met his end when he fell off his horse while crossing a tea plantation in Darjeeling and drowned in a river. As with all family anecdotes, there is more than one version. The official line was that he was crossing the bridge in a storm and/or his horse was frightened by a snake. The alternative version was that he'd been out on the razz and had taken a wee dram too many! His certificate of burial confirms death by drowning and states that he was buried at Bissarbatti. [5]

A memorial stone was placed near the spot, on the Pankhabari Tea Estate:

"Erected to the memory of William Dalrymple Brodie Brown - District Engineer - who was drowned in the River Balasan. 27th July 1910. Erected by a few friends." [6]

A further twist to the tale is added through the family recollections of Charles' descendants, according to which he was visiting William in Darjeeling and the two brothers were together when the accident occurred. The incident, which was apparently reported in the forerunner of the Aberdeen Press and Journal, had a big impact on Charles, who by then had seven children of his own. (His eldest son, Joe, went on to have two sons, Alasdair and Iain). [7]

Jenny's mother took the three girls to a convent orphanage in Calcutta immediately after the event. Their brother was taken to a separate orphanage. Their mother was never seen or heard of again. The "abandonment" of the children may appear harsh to our 21st century sensibilities, but perhaps in the circumstances it was the only practical way to provide for the children's needs. If it is assumed that William married a local girl, she would probably have been ostracised from her own family; removing her and her four children back to Aberdeen would have been too much to contemplate in those times, even if she had been willing to go, and it may well be that Charles assisted with the orphanage arrangements.

One of the daughters died in childhood. William's son Charles had children of his own). [8]

Barbara had at least two children, Barbara and Lawrie. He was a pilot in the Indian Air force and married a girl called Shirley; Barbara (snr) died in the 1980s. Jenny married Edredge Deefholts.