John Cecil Brown was the son of Frank and Annie Brown. His father was an accountant with Smith's Dock, and later a company secretary.

John came to the High School in 1903 from Miss Thompson's Preparatory School at the age of 8, and left at Christmas, 1909, at the age of 17.

However, his time at the school was disrupted due to ill health. Only 8 months after joining the school he was absent for 6 weeks, but returned only for 6 weeks, and was then absent for 2½ years, returning in January, 1906.

It isn't known exactly what was wrong, but the school records say that he suffered from an infectious disease of the scalp that had resulted in a loss of hair.

When John left, in December, 1909, he was articled to the manager of the Harton Coal Company, and became a mining engineer.

He joined the Royal Corps of Engineers, and in November, 1915, he was promoted to temporary 2nd Lieutenant.

After the war, John became an associate member of the Institute of Mining Engineers, and from 1929 to 1953 is listed as manager of various coal mines through the North-East.

He died in Sunderland on 1-Jan-1963 at the age of 70.