Horace Gordon Browning, died 20th November 1917, aged 26.
Private 53024, 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment).

Known in the family by his middle name, Gordon Browning was born in Maidstone on 22nd April 1891 and worked there before moving to Goudhurst for a job in the Burgess grocery business. In March 1916 he married Alice Hayward, a teacher at the village school until 1946. After an initial posting to the 16th Lancers at their depot in Ireland, Gordon ended up with the 8th Royal Fusiliers in France in January 1917. They performed well in the Battle of Arras in April and again on the opening day of the Battle of Cambrai, though Gordon was “Missing in action” on that day. He is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial.

Parish Magazine, St Mary’s, Goudhurst, January 1918
Our Roll of Honour
Pte. Horace Gordon Browning, Royal Fusiliers. He was brought up at Maidstone, and came as an Assistant to Mr Burgess in 1913. He was a useful member of the choir. He married Miss Alice Hayward in 1916, and together they helped Mrs Hayward to open the shop in the Cranbrook Road. In the same year he joined the Colours. He went first to Ireland, and then to Flanders, and he lost his life in the great Cambrai Attack on November 20th, 1917.

Kent & Sussex Courier 8th February 1918
Pte. H. G. Browning
Private Horace Gordon Browning, Royal Fusiliers brought up at Maidstone, came to Goudhurst as an assistant to Mr Burgess in 1913 and became a useful member of the Church Choir. In 1916 he married Miss Alice Hayward and in the same year he joined the Colours. He went first to Ireland and then to Flanders and lost his life in the great Cambrai attack on November 20th 1917.