James Browne (engineer)

Sir James Browne KCSI CB (1839 - 13 June, 1896) was a Scottish-Indian engineer and administrator. He was the son of Robert Browne of Falkirk, Scotland. He was educated at the Military College, Addiscombe, and received a commission in the Bengal engineers in 1857.

Career

He served in the expedition against the Mahsud Waziris in 1860, being mentioned in despatches, and in 1863 in the Umbeyla Campaign, when he was three times mentioned. In January 1875 he became superintendent of works for the building of the Indus bridge. In 1877 he was promoted lieutenant-colonel, and in 1878-1879 accompanied Sir Donald Stewart as political officer during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. He took part in several engagements, was mentioned in despatches, and received the CB.

In 1881 he became colonel, and in 1882 commanded the Indian engineer contingent sent to Egypt, being present at the Battle of Tel el-Kebir. For his services in Egypt he received the 3rd class of the Osmariieh Order and the Khedives star.

In 1884 he was appointed engineer in chief of the Sind-Pishin railway. In 1888 he was made a K.C.S.I. and in 1889 quartermaster-general for India. In 1892 he was appointed agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan, in succession to Sir Robert Groves Sandeman, his intimate experience of the Baluchis, gained during his railway work, having specially fitted him for this post.

Death

He died suddenly on 13 June, 1896, and is buried in Brompton Cemetery, Kensington and Chelsea, London.

References

* "The Life and Times of Sir James Browne", General McLeod Innes (1905)