Branch Standard Bearer 2021 - Date
Mr James Brown
James Brown was born in Royal Lancaster Infirmary on 24th October 1987 and attended St Peter's, Heysham, St Lukes, Hest Bank, and Ripley St. Thomas Schools. On leaving school in 2004, James attended Myerscough Agricultural College and gained a Diploma (with Distinction) in Horticulture and then commenced work as Assistant Greenkeeper at Ingol and Silverdale Golf Clubs. James then moved into the supply and maintenance of agricultural machinery as Parts Specialist at P V Dobson & Sons in Levens and then moved closer to home working on ground care machinery at Dennis Barnfield Ltd in Bolton-le-Sands.
James joined the Normandy Company Army Cadet Force in Lancaster in 2003 and rose to the rank of Corporal in 2005.
James became the Deputy Branch Standard Bearer in 2012 and paraded the Branch Standard alongside his father, who was the then Lancashire County Standard Bearer, at numerous parades and commemorative events locally and throughout the Lancashire County region.
James continued in this role until his father retired as Branch Standard Bearer at the Branch AGM in 2021 and the new Branch President, Mrs Maree Brown delivered the Charge to her son James as the new Branch Standard Bearer.
Mr James Brown, new Branch Standard Bearer, Mrs Maree Brown, Branch President & Mr Malcolm Brown, retiring Branch Standard Bearer at the Branch AGM October 2021.
Branch Standard Bearer 1991 - 2021
Mr Malcolm Brown
Malcolm Brown was born in Morecambe (QVH) on 25th June 1952 and attended West End, National, Morecambe Grammar and Ripley St. Thomas Schools. On leaving school in 1968, Malcolm followed in the footsteps of his grandfather and joined the Merchant Navy as an Engineer Cadet with Ocean Fleets Ltd (better known as Blue Funnel Line, Glen Line & Elder Dempster Line) and served in their owned and managed general cargo ships, bulk carriers and tankers until being made redundant in 1983 at the rank of Third Engineer Officer.
After getting married to Maree in 1983, Malcolm commenced working in the nuclear construction industry at Heysham 2 Power Station as a Mechanical Inspector with Darchem Ltd and, apart from a couple of brief sojourns back to sea on a coastal bulk carrier and coastal tankers as Chief/Second Engineer Officer with J & A Gardeners of Glasgow and BP Oil Ltd, he worked in the nuclear power and defence industry on construction and commissioning projects around the UK for 20 years.
Following part-time study at Lancaster University from 2002 to 2004, Malcolm was awarded an MSc in Safety Engineering and became a Technical Safety Consultant working in the defence manufacturing industry in Darlington and Newport, Mon. and since 2007 was engaged in the oil & gas industry, firstly in Glasgow and then in Aberdeen. He then moved nearer home working for offshore drilling company Archer in Blyth before a last move to Barrow-in-Furness until his retirement in 2019.
Malcolm became Branch Standard Bearer in 1991 following the untimely death of his father Reginald, and has competed in the Lancashire County Standard Bearer's Competition every year (bar one) since then, winning the trophy on five occasions. Malcolm has recently retired from competing as it is extremely difficult to fulfil the duties of the County Standard Bearer whilst working in the north of Scotland.
Malcolm and Maree have two children, Laura-Jayne and James who are both Branch Members and James who is also a Branch Standard Bearer.
Lancashire County Standard Bearer, Mr Malcolm Brown with Morecambe & Heysham Deputy Branch Standard Bearer Mr James Brown at the ANZAC Day Commemorative Service in Torrisholme Cemetery, Morecambe in April 2012.
Branch Standard Bearer 1964 - 1991
Mr Reginald Brown
Reginald Brown was born in Morecambe (QVH) on 25th June 1926 and attended St Peters and Balmoral Road Schools. He became an Apprentice Plater at ICI in Heysham where he stayed throughout his entire working life (with the exception of two years National Service) being steadily promoted through to Workshop Supervisor until he took early retirement in 1981.
Reg's National Service from 1946-48 was in the RASC mainly based in Egypt and he was promoted to Corporal before returning to Civvy Street, where he married Margaret Bell at Sion Baptist Church in 1948. They have two children, Margaret Sandra and Malcolm David and lived in "ICI Street" otherwise known as Corringham Road Morecambe.
After being de-mobbed, Reg joined the then British Legion, where he eventually took over the role of Standard Bearer from his father Robert in 1964. Reg also competed in the Lancashire County Standard Bearer's Competitions, winning the title on numerous occasions and when competing in the subsequent Regional Standard Bearer's Competition, he won that title four times, which meant he was then eligible to compete in the National Standard Bearer's Competition. On retiring from competing, Reg was made County Parade Marshal and also became a Competition Judge.
Reg was also an active supporter of the Branch Poppy Appeal, helping with distribution, making street collections and counting the proceeds.
Mr Reginald Brown, Morecambe & Heysham Branch, Lancashire County and North West Region Standard Bearer.
Branch Standard Bearer 1937 - 1964
Mr Robert Henry Brown
Robert Henry (Bob) Brown was born in Belfast on 19th March 1888 and, after leaving the Belfast Municipal Technical Institute he joined the Merchant Navy serving as a Steward and Cook in the early 1900s. After moving across the Irish Sea to Heysham he worked for the Midland Railway Co as an Engine Room Rating sailing on the steamships as a Stoker/Fireman/Greaser between Heysham and Belfast. He served as a Stoker in the Steamers "Shannon" and "Pembroke" from September 1916 to March 1919 during the time they were requisitioned for troop transport. The Pembroke was originally built as a paddle steamer for the GWR, but was transferred to the Irish Sea after conversion to twin screws in 1896. Robert Henry was on board her when she was attacked by a U-Boat on 24th September 1916 whilst sailing from Weymouth, after which she was armed and continued in service until being scrapped in 1925.
After the Great War, Bob returned to the Merchant Service eventually becoming the Engine Room Fireman on board the dredger in Heysham Harbour until his retirement in 1958. During the Second World War, Bob also served in the Heysham Harbour Detachment of the Home Guard.
Bob was one of the founder members of the Morecambe & Heysham Branch of the former British Legion when the Legion was founded in 1921 and was elected as the Branch Standard Bearer in 1937. He took part in the North Lancashire County Standard Bearers Competitions but there is no record of his success in these.
Mr Robert Henry Brown leads the Remembrance Sunday Parade along Morecambe Promenade in November 1956.
