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Record #3881
Name :
: Percy BROWN (1913 - )


Father
:
Mother
:
BMD and other details
Date of Birth
: 1913 (approx.)

Marriage (1)
:
Marriage (2)
:

Date of Death
:
Abode (1) : Place of BirthEngland
Abode (2) : Place of Death / Burial
Sailing Information
Date of Arrival
: 27 Mar 1927
Country
: Canada

Ship
: Montrose

Placement Family
:
Homes / Agencys
Institution (GB)
:

Agency
: Barnardos
NotesIn 1927, Percy Brown, 14, arrived at St. John, New Brunwick, Canada, along with a group of 29 children en route to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Rev. Percy Brown tells his own story from there (Source: Pier 21 - Canada's Immigration Museum, {website}pier21.ca/research/collections/the-story-collection/online-story-collection/british-home-children/)

At the time, my destination was different. However, sometimes second best turns out to be best.

I was fourteen, in 1927, when the opportunity arrived. After living in a British orphanage for ten years, I read an announcement on the bulletin board. It stated that anyone who was fourteen years old could apply to immigrate to Australia. What a wonderful and exciting adventure! For the first time in many years, I felt light shining upon me. After taking several tests and passing the interviewing process, I was on my way!

Just as quickly as the opportunity came, it vanished. Because of a flu epidemic in Australia, all passages were cancelled. At the age of fourteen, I felt that my dreams had been crushed.

Another door opened. I was asked if I would like to go to Canada. What a blessing for me! I was on my journey with about twenty-nine other boys and three girls.

In March, 1927, I boarded the Montrose. I don't remember a lot of details about the journey. I do remember that, as we crossed the Irish Sea, I was seasick, so sick that I stayed in my cabin. However, the steward came to get me and made me eat breakfast. Quickly I was sick over the rail. The steward made me eat a second breakfast. Finally I was able to keep the food in my stomach. Other memories of seeing whales and sighting land are very vague.

After landing at St. John, I thought, I took a three-day train journey to Hamilton. There I stayed with Mr. Hill until he found me a place to stay. Mr. Hill was in charge of the children.

The first place was a farm in Caledonia. There the owners viewed me and another young boy as workers only. I worked outside from about 5 a.m. to sometimes 10 p.m.. I was allowed to stop only for a few minutes to eat my meals. The other young man worked only in the house. So, we did not have time to develop any friendship.

One day I was so tired that I stopped the horses and rested before I had finished ploughing a field. I had been afraid of not being able to control the horses and falling onto the blades. While I was sleeping, the farmer passed me, but did not wake me up. When I awoke, it was dark. So, I took the horses to the barn and unsaddled them. When I went to get supper, the farmer told me that I could not eat until I had finished the field. I was tired; so, I refused. He refused to give me supper.

After six weeks of very hard work for which I was paid five dollars a month, I was returned to Mr. Hill.

This episode had branded me as incorrigible young man. For two weeks, I was kept in my room. After this time, I was asked if I could behave and do as I was told. Of course I said "Yes". Otherwise, I may have been sen back to Britain.

My second place of work was in Drumbo. The farmer and his wife treated me as if I were their own child. It was this couple who took me to church and who influenced me to sing in the choir. I spent a wonderful six-year period with them.

Am I glad that I came to Canada? Indeed, yes! Canada has allowed me to follow many pathways; it has granted me a successful living and an opportunity to have a wonderful family. I have been very blessed.

Many years have passed since I arrived in Canada. Now, at the age of 87 years, I am an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada. I was ordained in London, Ontario, at the age of 60 ? years old. So, I have been blessed in many ways. 
ContributorsCreated : 2008-07-13 12:42:53 / From original database

Last Updated : 2008-07-13 12:47:24 /

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Surnames starting with:   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  164 Entries        
IDNameDOBPlace of birthArrivals & ShipsDest.AgencyFamily links
21793 BRAUN, Frederick Charles1882ENG, SRY, London Mar 1893 : Labrador CAN Barnardos  
17258 BROWN, A. L.1882ENG,     Apr 1899 : Scotsman CAN Barnardos  
7852 BROWN, Albert 1915ENG, WAR, Birmingham Oct 1930 : Newfoundland CAN Middlemore  
22352 BROWN, Albert1871ENG,     Sep 1885 : Parisian CAN Liverpool Catholic Childrens Protective Society (now Nugent Care)  
23010 BROWN, Albert1892ENG,     May 1903 : Kensington CAN Fegan Homes for Boys  
8741 BROWN, Albert G.1912ENG,     Apr 1928 : Andania CAN Waifs & Strays  
14649 BROWN, Alice1898ENG,     Aug 1913 : Tunisian CAN MacPherson Homes  
20192 BROWN, Amelia L.1894ENG,     Mar 1900 : Parisian CAN Louisa Birt  
6789 BROWN, Andrew1861SCT,     Jul 1875 : Waldensian CAN MacPherson Homes  
16042 BROWN, Andrew1872ENG,     Sep 1883 : Dominion CAN Board of Guardians (Various)  
15329 BROWN, Ann1862ENG,     Jun 1871 : Prussian CAN Maria Rye  
2926 BROWN, Annie 1884 Mar 1895 : Mongolian CAN Maria Rye  
7590 BROWN, Annie1861ENG,     Nov 1870 : Peruvian CAN Maria Rye  
11652 BROWN, Annie 1891ENG,     May 1902 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
14232 BROWN, Annie1892ENG,     May 1900 : Vancouver CAN Liverpool Sheltering Home  
6938 BROWN, Arthur1867ENG,     Jun 1878 : Sarmatian CAN Middlemore  
9745 BROWN, Arthur1896ENG,     Jun 1912 : Tunisian CAN Barnardos  
12459 BROWN, Arthur1887ENG,     Jul 1903 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
22793 BROWN, B1894ENG,     Apr 1910 : Corsican CAN Unknown Catholic Group  
14104 BROWN, Benjamin1888ENG,     Apr 1899 : Scotsman CAN Barnardos  
17425 BROWN, Bernard 1896SCT,     Aug 1906 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
22853 BROWN, Catherine1897ENG,     Jul 1909 : Sicilian CAN Barnardos  
19790 BROWN, Cecil1903ENG,     Apr 1914 : Empress of Britain CAN Fegan Homes for Boys  
19789 BROWN, Cecil Edward1898ENG,     Apr 1911 : Tunisian CAN Unknown  
3359 BROWN, Charles1889ENG,     Apr 1900 : Cambroman CAN Barnardos  
8735 BROWN, Charles1912ENG, LDN, London Apr 1928 : Andania CAN Waifs & Strays  
11101 BROWN, Charles1896ENG,     May 1907 : Empress of Britain CAN Fegan Homes for Boys  
19558 BROWN, Charles1880ENG,     May 1895 : Parisian CAN Annie Macpherson Homes  
22698 BROWN, Charles1891ENG,     Apr 1909 : Empress of Britain CAN Fegan Homes for Boys  
22856 BROWN, Charles1912ENG,     Mar 1928 : Ausonia CAN Church Army  
25773 BROWN, Charles1894ENG,     May 1909 : Corsican CAN Louisa Birt  
26141 BROWN, Charles1895ENG,     Mar 1903 : Canada CAN Barnardos  
24603 BROWN, Charles A.1897 Jun 1906 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
22967 BROWN, Charles J.1896ENG,     May 1907 : Empress of Britain CAN Fegan Homes for Boys  
12086 BROWN, Charles William1916ENG,     May 1928 : Ballarat AUS Fairbridge Homes  
9144 BROWN, Charlotte Eliza1873ENG, MDX, Marylebone Sep 1880 : Moravian CAN Maria Rye  
7993 BROWN, Clara1842ENG,     Jun 1869 : Austrian CAN Maria Rye  
22910 BROWN, D1896ENG,     Oct 1905 : Canada CAN Barnardos  
2734 BROWN, Daniel Flower1870ENG, GLS, Bristol Apr 1885 : Sardinian CAN Bristol Emigration Society  
17446 BROWN, David 1892SCT,     Apr 1909 : Hesperian CAN Quarriers  
5363 BROWN, Douglas1911ENG,    , Eastleigh Aug 1925 : Montnairn CAN National Childrens Home  
22911 BROWN, Douglas1879SCT,     Jun 1884 : Buenos Ayrean CAN Quarriers  
27403 BROWN, Douglas W1932ENG,     Jan 1949 : Ormonde AUS Big Brother Movement  
21007 BROWN, E.1885ENG,     Apr 1898 : Labrador CAN Barnardos  
11794 BROWN, Edward1897ENG,     Aug 1906 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
15328 BROWN, Elizabeth1861ENG,     Jun 1871 : Prussian CAN Maria Rye  
7622 BROWN, Ellen1858ENG,     Nov 1870 : Peruvian CAN Maria Rye  
8601 BROWN, Ellen Jane1914ENG, LDN, London Apr 1924 : Montclare CAN Barnardos  
9299 BROWN, Emily 1903ENG,     Mar 1914 : Sicilian CAN Barnardos  
25561 BROWN, Emily1900ENG,     May 1909 : Corsican CAN Barnardos  
26864 BROWN, Eric John1923ENG,     Nov 1932 : Balranald AUS Fairbridge Homes  
22573 BROWN, Ethel Martha1902ENG,     1913 : - Unknown - CAN Unknown  
22502 BROWN, Eva1878ENG,     Sep 1892 : Numidian CAN Salford Catholic Protection and Rescue Society  
22471 BROWN, Florence1913ENG,     May 1924 : Franconia CAN Middlemore  
12139 BROWN, Florence Muriel1921ENG,     May 1928 : Ballarat AUS Fairbridge Homes  
8887 BROWN, Forrester1892ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1906 : Siberian CAN Middlemore  
8463 BROWN, Francis 1914ENG,    , Kearsley Apr 1930 : Duchess of Bedford CAN Catholic Emigration Association  
22607 BROWN, Francis W1891ENG,     Jul 1902 : New England CAN Barnardos  
12662 BROWN, Frank1900ENG, HAM, Portswood, Southampton Oct 1909 : Sicilian CAN Barnardos  
25618 BROWN, Freda1913 Feb 1924 : Euripides AUS Fairbridge Homes  
10468 BROWN, Frederick 1906ENG,    , Clewer Apr 1921 : Melita CAN Liverpool Sheltering Home  
19407 BROWN, Frederick1872 Apr 1883 : Sarmatian CAN MacPherson Homes  
21192 BROWN, Frederick John1915ENG,     Jan 1927 : Ballarat AUS Fairbridge Homes  
8426 BROWN, George1890ENG,     Jul 1901 : Numidian CAN Barnardos  
11701 BROWN, George1890ENG,     May 1902 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
15013 BROWN, George1884ENG,     Sep 1899 : Bavarian CAN Waifs & Strays  
26727 BROWN, George1897 Oct 1910 : Sicilian CAN Barnardos  
23158 BROWN, George A.1898ENG,     Apr 1910 : Empress of Ireland CAN Fegan Homes for Boys  
24979 BROWN, George A. M.1901 Mar 1910 : Tunisian CAN Barnardos  
8645 BROWN, George Henry 1916ENG, LDN, London Jul 1925 : Athenia CAN Marchmont Homes (now Barnardos)  
26140 BROWN, H1892ENG,     Mar 1903 : Canada CAN Barnardos  
19050 BROWN, Hannah1900ENG,     Sep 1912 : Sicilian CAN Barnardos  
15244 BROWN, Harold1873ENG,     Mar 1882 : Polynesian CAN Liverpool Sheltering Home  
20596 BROWN, Harold Albert1895ENG,     Apr 1905 : Kensington CAN Barnardos  
12663 BROWN, Harry 1895ENG, HAM, Southampton Aug 1905 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
12031 BROWN, Harry T1913ENG,     Jan 1927 : Ballarat AUS Barnardos  
27191 BROWN, Hazel1921ENG, MDX, Edmonton May 1933 : Otranto AUS Fairbridge Homes  
8861 BROWN, Henry1891ENG, LAN, Chorlton Apr 1903 : Tunisian CAN Middlemore  
21911 BROWN, Henry1894ENG,     Oct 1903 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
24225 BROWN, Henry1856ENG,     May 1870 : Peruvian CAN Annie MacPherson Homes  
12983 BROWN, Henry A1883ENG,     Apr 1896 : Scotsman CAN Marchmont Homes (now Barnardos)  
16390 BROWN, Henry James1906ENG,     Sep 1921 : Minnedosa CAN Barnardos  
3488 BROWN, Henry Percy1901ENG,    , Cowley Mar 1915 : Scandinavian CAN Barnardos  
19878 BROWN, Herbert1893ENG,     May 1907 : Empress of Britain CAN Fegan Homes for Boys  
9138 BROWN, Herbert James1892WAL,    , Newport Aug 1905 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
19054 BROWN, Hilda1897ENG,     Sep 1912 : Sicilian CAN Barnardos  
26272 BROWN, Horace1920ENG, SSX, Hastings Apr 1930 : Jervis Bay AUS Fairbridge Homes  
26139 BROWN, J F T1894ENG,     Mar 1903 : Canada CAN Barnardos  
18862 BROWN, J H1888ENG,     Sep 1899 : Arawa CAN Barnardos  
5243 BROWN, James 1915ENG,    , Romford Mar 1930 : Scythia CAN Salvation Army  
6753 BROWN, James1898ENG,     Oct 1909 : Sicilian CAN Barnardos  
20466 BROWN, James1894 May 1908 : Corsican CAN Louisa Birt  
20574 BROWN, James1890 Apr 1905 : Kensington CAN Barnardos  
22652 BROWN, James1910ENG,     May 1924 : Doric CAN Waifs & Strays  
4698 BROWN, James Thomas1898ENG, LAN, Oldham Oct 1909 : Sicilian CAN Barnardos  
17259 BROWN, James W1891ENG,     Mar 1900 : Parisian CAN Louisa Birt  
11726 BROWN, Jane1891ENG,     May 1902 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
11729 BROWN, Jessie1892ENG,     May 1902 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
8736 BROWN, John 1912ENG,     Apr 1928 : Andania CAN Waifs & Strays  
9300 BROWN, John 1894ENG,     Jul 1905 : Southwark CAN Barnardos  
15251 BROWN, John1868ENG,     Mar 1882 : Polynesian CAN Liverpool Sheltering Home  
22127 BROWN, John1914ENG,     Apr 1931 : Duchess of Bedford CAN Unknown  
25470 BROWN, John1897ENG,     May 1909 : Corsican CAN Barnardos  
23899 BROWN, John Edward Stanley1911ENG,     May 1921 : Minnedosa CAN Middlemore  
16231 BROWN, John William1890ENG,     Apr 1906 : Southwark CAN National Childrens Home  
15922 BROWN, Joseph1898ENG,     Jul 1907 : Kensington CAN Barnardos  
18955 BROWN, Joseph1892ENG,     May 1905 : Bavarian CAN MacPherson Homes  
18225 BROWN, Joseph H1874ENG,     Apr 1890 : Sardinian CAN Waifs & Strays  
4756 BROWN, Joseph Rayner1891ENG, YKS, Leeds Mar 1906 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
12949 BROWN, Julia1881ENG,     Apr 1896 : Scotsman CAN Marchmont Homes (now Barnardos)  
13983 BROWN, Julia1890ENG,     Sep 1901 : Tunisian CAN Barnardos  
15330 BROWN, Lilian1863ENG,     Jun 1871 : Prussian CAN Maria Rye  
25805 BROWN, Lizzie1877 Jun 1891 : Norwegian CAN Quarriers  
20508 BROWN, Louisa1898 May 1908 : Corsican CAN Louisa Birt  
13383 BROWN, Lucy1875SCT,     May 1890 : Siberian CAN Quarriers  
3697 BROWN, Lucy Leonora1890ENG, WAR, Aston Jun 1903 : Siberian CAN Middlemore  
23713 BROWN, Margaret Elizabeth1899ENG,     Sep 1907 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
6112 BROWN, Mary1887ENG,     Aug 1895 : Numidian CAN Maria Rye  
17447 BROWN, Mary1895ENG,     Jul 1909 : Sicilian CAN Barnardos  
25715 BROWN, Mary1898ENG,     May 1909 : Corsican CAN Louisa Birt  
25865 BROWN, Mary1884 Jun 1891 : Norwegian CAN Quarriers  
7670 BROWN, Mary A.1857ENG,     Nov 1870 : Peruvian CAN Maria Rye  
14230 BROWN, Maud1890ENG,     May 1900 : Vancouver CAN Liverpool Sheltering Home  
15854 BROWN, Maud1896ENG,     Apr 1906 : Friesland CAN Barnardos  
25374 BROWN, Minnie1888SCT,     Jun 1897 : Sarmatian CAN Quarriers  
3881 BROWN, Percy1913ENG,     Mar 1927 : Montrose CAN Barnardos  
15690 BROWN, Percy Robert1903ENG,    , Bulwell Apr 1917 : Olympic CAN Dakeyne Boys Farm  
16194 BROWN, Percy Robert1903ENG, NTT, Bulwell Apr 1917 : Olympic CAN Dakeyne Boys Farm  
3973 BROWN, Peter Donabie1880SCT, LKS, Glasgow Mar 1891 : Hibernian CAN Quarriers  
23345 BROWN, Reginald1904ENG,     Mar 1914 : Sicilian CAN Barnardos  
22608 BROWN, Reginald J1901ENG,     May 1908 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
19584 BROWN, Richard1881ENG,     May 1895 : Parisian CAN Annie Macpherson Homes  
9984 BROWN, Richard William1871ENG, MDX, Marylebone Jun 1890 : Parisian CAN MacPherson Homes  
19065 BROWN, Robert1909ENG,     Mar 1927 : Melita CAN Salvation Army  
25647 BROWN, Robert1894ENG,     May 1909 : Corsican CAN Catholic Emigration Society  
8953 BROWN, Robert B1911ENG,    , Croydon May 1925 : Montclare CAN Fegan Homes for Boys  
19992 BROWN, Robert William1916ENG,     Mar 1930 : Albertic CAN British Immigration and Colonisation Association  
12290 BROWN, Ronald1923ENG,     Jul 1937 : Duchess of Bedford CAN Barnardos  
15491 BROWN, Sarah1872ENG,     Sep 1884 : Sarmatian CAN Liverpool Catholic Childrens Protective Society (now Nugent Care)  
15492 BROWN, Sarah1872ENG,     Jun 1884 : Polynesian CAN Catholic Protection Society  
5886 BROWN, Stanley1899ENG,     May 1908 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
4291 BROWN, Stephen John1911ENG,     Jun 1924 : Demosthenes AUS Fairbridge Homes  
22353 BROWN, Theo1886ENG,     Jun 1898 : Carthaginian CAN Southwark Catholic Emigration Committee  
11782 BROWN, Thomas1891ENG,     May 1902 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
12927 BROWN, Thomas1883ENG,     Apr 1897 : Vancouver CAN Marchmont Homes (now Barnardos)  
13468 BROWN, Thomas1873ENG,     Jul 1887 : Sardinian CAN Board of Guardians (Various)  
14334 BROWN, Thomas1892ENG,     Jul 1901 : Numidian CAN Barnardos  
22292 BROWN, Thomas1891ENG,     May 1902 : Dominion CAN Fegan Homes for Boys  
7962 BROWN, Thomas B1914ENG,    , Loddington Apr 1930 : Letitia CAN Church Army  
9022 BROWN, Thomas Harold1902ENG,     Mar 1910 : Tunisian CAN Barnardos  
8954 BROWN, Thomas J1910ENG,    , Croydon May 1925 : Montclare CAN Fegan Homes for Boys  
17959 BROWN, Thomas Richard1904ENG, MDX, London Sep 1914 : Corinthian CAN Barnardos  
21268 BROWN, Thomas W1917ENG,     Jun 1929 : Berrima AUS Barnardos  
7849 BROWN, Walter1864ENG, LDN, London Jul 1870 : Prussian CAN Maria Rye  
9145 BROWN, Walter Archibald1875ENG,     Jun 1890 : Parisian CAN MacPherson Homes  
18687 BROWN, Wilfred1898ENG,     Sep 1911 : Lake Manitoba CAN Unknown Catholic Group  
9301 BROWN, William1897ENG,     Mar 1913 : Corinthian CAN Barnardos  
6393 BROWN, William Alfred1899ENG,     Mar 1910 : Tunisian CAN Barnardos  
17224 BROWN, William Charles1884ENG,     Apr 1900 : Cambroman CAN Barnardos  
20111 BROWN, William E1869ENG,     Jun 1886 : Lake Superior CAN Barnardos  
20590 BROWN, William Ernest1892 Apr 1905 : Kensington CAN Barnardos  
15780 BROWN, William J.1875ENG,     Sep 1884 : Sarmatian CAN Liverpool Catholic Childrens Protective Society (now Nugent Care)  
9807 BROWN, William Thomas1898ENG,     Sep 1912 : Sicilian CAN Barnardos  
12661 BROWN, Winifred1897ENG, HAM, Portswood, Southampton Jul 1907 : Kensington CAN Barnardos  
IDNameDOBPlace of birthArrivals & ShipsDest.AgencyFamily links
Surnames starting with:   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  164 Entries