Born in 1887, Frank was the fourth eldest of William and Jane Owen Brown’s children. The 1891 census shows a four year old Frank living at 97 Ravensbourne Road, Greenwich with his parents, elder sister Hannah (8), brother William (6), younger sister Martina (1) and Frank’s uncle Joseph H Brown. Edith (11) is shown on the census as a visitor next door at number 99. There was one other daughter, Isabel, who had died aged 2 in 1882.
By the time of the 1901 census, the Brown’s had moved to 144 St. John’s Road, Deptford. This time Edith, now 21, is at home with her parents, William (16) a jeweller’s messenger, Frank (16), Martina (11) and a 5 year old Don (see Don Owen Brown, Royal Sussex Regiment, killed in France in June 1916). Hannah, now 18, is employed as one of three servants at the home of Alfred Clarke and his wife, 1 Shooters Hill Road (Heath House).
It is possible that Frank’s absence from the 1911 census is due to his being at sea because in between censuses he joined the Mercantile Marine. It is in this capacity that he became a victim of a war crime.
Frank was a bed steward on the P&O passenger liner the SS Persia. Built in 1900 by Caird and Co. at Greenock, Scotland the SS Persia was 498.8 feet long and weighed 7974 tons. She was launched on 13th August 1900. Following her launch she was employed on the ‘Empire Run’ between London and Bombay.
On her final voyage she departed from London on 26th December 1915. Among the passengers were the Maharaja Jagatjit Singh (due to embark at Marseilles after visiting London and the trenches on the French/German border), John Walter Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 2nd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, his wife Lady Cecil Victoria Constance and his mistress Eleanor Thornton.
Eleanor was an actress and model as well as his secretary on his motor magazine ‘The Car Illustrated’. The secret affair was apparently condoned by his wife and they had a secret illegitimate child that was put up for adoption. Eleanor was also the model for the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ mascot on Rolls Royce cars from 1911.
The Maharaja Jagatjit Singh had with him on board, in the bullion room, a large quantity of gold and jewels. While they were in port at Marseilles the Maharaja received secret intelligence that the Germans were planning an attack on the ship and disembarked at the eleventh hour, continuing his journey back to India a few days later, but losing his jewels and gold when the ship went down.
At 13:10 on the 30th December 1915, when the ship was 71 miles south east of Crete, the submarine U-38 commanded by Captain Christian Valentiner fired a torpedo without warning hitting the port side. Within five minutes the boiler on that side exploded and the SS Persia sank soon after.
The attack broke international naval law (Cruiser Rules) which state that merchant ships can be stopped and searched for contraband and only sunk if passengers and crew are put in a place of safety (lifeboats are not included).
When the SS Persia sank 343 of the 519 on board lost their lives. Baron Montagu of Beaulieu survived but lost his wife and mistress. William and Jane Owen Brown of Welling lost their son Frank.
The National Probate Calendar of 1916 records Frank’s estate;
BROWN Frank Owen of 12 Carlton Villas Welling, Kent died 30 December 1915 at sea Administration London 8 May to William Owen Brown railway inspector. Effects £116 18s. 9d.
The Commonwealth War Graves register for Mercantile Marine Memorials states;
BROWN, Bed Std. Frank Owen. SS “Persia” (Greenock). Drowned, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine, 30th Dec., 1915. Aged 28. Son of William Owen and Jane Brown (nee Tilley), of 12 Carlton Villas, Welling, Kent. Born at Greenwich, Kent.
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This story has been researched by volunteers. We have taken every effort to ensure its accuracy. If you are related to Frank Owen Brown, or if you have any further information, please do get in touch.