4th Battalion Australian Infantry
Bernard John Browning was born at Upton on Severn. Until 1910 he lived with his parents at Severn Farm, near Quedgeley, when he emigrated to New South Wales in Australia and became a vehicle driver.
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 10 August 1915 at Warwick Farm, New South Wales and boarded a troopship for Egypt on 2 November 1915. Upon arrival he was posted to 4 Battalion Australian Infantry and was immediately made a Lance Corporal. In March 1916 the battalion sailed from Alexandria to Marseilles. In early June 1916 he developed appendicitis and was sent to England to a hospital in Epsom where he stayed a month. In August 1916 he was granted a fortnight’s special sick leave and travelled to Quedgeley to stay with his parents.
On the 16th he was returning home by taxi from Gloucester, when the car left the road at the Lea Bridge and plunged into the Gloucester Sharpness Canal. Both Browning and taxi driver were drowned. An inquest and Army Court of Inquiry declared that the bridge and approach road were dangerous for cars unable to use headlights, due to wartime restrictions and death was accidental.
Lance Corporal Bernard John Browning was buried with full military honours in a grave in Quedgeley (St James) Churchyard. The exact location of the grave is not known and the CWGC has erected a headstone stating: Known to be buried in this churchyard.