BROWN, William Edward
| Service Numbers: | 2879, 2779, Officer |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 May 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 45th Infantry Battalion (WW1) |
| Born: | Georgetown, Queensland, Australia, 31 July 1895 |
| Home Town: | Cairns, Cairns, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Cairns, Queensland , Australia, 18 September 1978, aged 83 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Cairns (General) Cemetery, Queensland Section LH, Row B6, Site 11 |
| Memorials: | Georgetown Etheridge War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 10 May 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2879, 47th Infantry Battalion, Place of Enlistment Cairns, Queensland. | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 May 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1 | |
| 27 Oct 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2779, 47th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Marathon embarkation_ship_number: A74 public_note: '' | |
| 27 Oct 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2779, 47th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Marathon, Brisbane | |
| 7 Jun 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2779, 47th Infantry Battalion, Battle of Messines | |
| 19 Jun 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 2779, 47th Infantry Battalion | |
| 22 Aug 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Sergeant, 2779, 47th Infantry Battalion | |
| 9 Oct 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 2779, 47th Infantry Battalion | |
| 5 Apr 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 2779, 47th Infantry Battalion, Dernancourt/Ancre | |
| 1 May 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 2779, 47th Infantry Battalion, Villers-Bretonneux | |
| 28 May 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 2779, 46th Infantry Battalion | |
| 24 Aug 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 2779, 45th Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
| 29 Aug 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, 45th Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
| 23 Dec 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Officer, 45th Infantry Battalion (WW1) |
Military Medal Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations East of WYTCHAETE August 7th - 16th 1917. This soldier displayed exceptional courage and endurance during his Company's tour in the line under adverse weather conditions, volunteering for all phases of work, and when his Company was relieved he remained on and acted as Scout N.C.O., for the new Company.' Second entry reads: 'At VILLERS-BRETONNEUX on 1st May, 1918, he displayed consummate bravery and disregard of danger in directing the advance of the Battalion under heavy machine gun fire. When one Sector was opposed he went to its assistance with revolver and grenades and succeeding in diverting the attack, causing casualties. His presence in the line is a powerful tonic to men in the vicinity and he is a monument of courage. he made a particularly dangerous reconnaissance of enemy Posts gaining valuable information.
Date of recommendation: 06 May 1918
Submitted 28 July 2015 by Nathan Rohrlach
Bar to Distinguished Conduct Medal Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. As scout sergeant he did splendid work, crawling through a barrage across "No Man's Land" to find out the enemy's intentions. He took a Lewis gun with him, and used it to advantage. During three and a half hours of attack he was indefatigable, collecting information, sniping, and bringing up ammunition.
Date of recommendation: 08 April 1918
Submitted 28 July 2015 by Nathan Rohrlach
Distinguished Conduct Medal Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in commanding his platoon with skill and ability during an attack when most of his officers and non-commissioned officers had become casualties. He established his platoon on a defensive position on the flank, and repelled a hostile counter attack, inspiring all ranks by his fine example.
Date of recommendation: 14 June 1917
Submitted 28 July 2015 by Nathan Rohrlach
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