William Denis Browne

William Charles Denis Browne (3 November 1888 - 4 June 1915), primarily known as Billy to family and as Denis to his friends, was a British composer, pianist, organist and music critic of the early 20th century. He and his close friend, poet Rupert Brooke, were commissioned into the Royal Naval Division together shortly after the outbreak of the First World War. Denis Browne was killed in action during the Gallipoli Campaign. According to his ent... more

William Charles Denis Browne (3 November 1888 - 4 June 1915), primarily known as Billy to family and as Denis to his friends, was a British composer, pianist, organist and music critic of the early 20th century. He and his close friend, poet Rupert Brooke, were commissioned into the Royal Naval Division together shortly after the outbreak of the First World War. Denis Browne was killed in action during the Gallipoli Campaign. According to his entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (ODNB), his surname was Denis Browne. Despite this, both the ODNB and Grove Music Online list him as Browne, as does his Royal Navy service record, and his record at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). There is similar confusion over his death date. He received what were presumed to be his fatal wounds on 4 June 1915, but was not officially reported "wounded and missing" until 7 June 1915, and it is this date which is recorded by the CWGC as the date of death, although his service... less