JACKIE BROWN
NOT JUST A THEATRE ORGANIST

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THE PASSING OF JACKIE BROWN

Jackie Brown (1923-1974)

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On Friday, 24th May 1974 , Jackie had volunteered to help the Manager of the Southwick Branch of Southern Organ Ltd., Mr. Terry Batty, move a relatively heavy organ out of St. Martin’s Church Hall in Saltdean.

St. Martin’s Church, Saltdean

After Jackie and Mr. Batty had successfully manoeuvred the organ out of the Hall, Jackie slipped and landed on his back on the concrete path. Although the organ did not land on him, it was evident that he was hurt, as he complained of pains in his back. Mr. Batty drove him back to the Southwick Branch and a doctor was called. An ambulance soon arrived, but Jackie used the intervening time to park his car and return upstairs to his flat. Jackie was transported by the ambulance to Southlands Hospital in Shoreham.

Southlands Hospital, Shoreham

Four days later (28th May), Jackie passed away from Pneumonia which had developed secondary to his injury.

The First report of Jackie’s passing from the Evening Argus, 31st May, 1974
Unfortunately, there are a number of errors in the report regarding his career

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At the Inquest, The Consultant Pathologist, Dr. John Shore, gave evidence stating that Jackie had died once his lungs collapsed and became filled with fluid secondary to suffering three broken three ribs from his fall and perforation of one of his lungs.

Second report of Jackie’s passing from the Evening Argus, 4th June, 1974
including the Coroner’s Report

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Obituary appearing in a Music Trade Newspaper

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Worthing Crematorium Booklet for Jackie’s Funeral (5th June, 1974)

There were a large number of mourners at Jackie’s funeral. In addition to Beryl, Amanda and Julie, Jackie’s mother and sister, Dorothy, and Uncle Roy (Beryl’s brother), those in attendance included a number of people from the music world along with a group of photographers and members of the press. Jackie’s cousin, Angus, played the bagpipes outside the Crematorium’s Chapel during the ceremony. Following the service, Jackie was cremated at Worthing Crematorium and his ashes were scattered in the surrounding gardens.

Worthing Crematorium Gardens

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