Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

George was born in New South Wales on the 10th July 1915, to Scottish born Sarah Margaret and William Brown. A second son, Norman was born in July, 1919. However, aged five, Norman died on the 27th September, 1924 and was remembered in the West Terrace cemetery where his mother was later buried. The family later moved to South Australia.
George’s vibrant red hair attracted several affectionate nick-names, including ‘Ginger’, ‘Blue’ and ‘Tommy’. In a most unusual finding, young George opened a mussel to use as bait while fishing on the Murray. He unsuccessfully tried to force a fish hook through the meat, finding instead what was later confirmed by the local jeweller to be a pearl!
Sarah remarried, to Christopher Peter Harris. Three step-siblings, Nellie, William and Christopher Jasper later arrived, with the family living in North Adelaide.
Post school, George worked as a labourer in Barmera in the Riverland. With the outbreak of war George enlisted at Wayville on the 29th June, 1940, just prior to his 30th birthday. He became SX6867 and was allocated to the newly formed 2/48th battalion. In the close quarters of the huge pavilions in which the enlistees slept, George contracted laryngitis before eventually training at Woodside. The large contingent from the 2/48th Battalion, including many from the Riverland, embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940. However, just prior to arriving, George was hospitalised but discharged two days before the ship berthed on the 19th December 1940.
John G. Glenn in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ describes how in Libya at 3:50am on May 1st, the 2/48th “in thick mist, darkness, and bitter cold snatched a quick breakfast of bully beef and hard biscuits.” German dive bombers swept over the battalion at the same time as “a heavy concentration of enemy artillery fire. One shell made a direct hit on a dugout of D Company, killing two and wounding two others.” It was under these conditions that George was killed in action, aged 25. Mark Johnson in his recent book, ‘Derrick In His Own Words’ explained that ‘On 1 May the 2/48th suffered 51 casualties, including 16 killed. Besides George, these included Robert Carey SX7943, John Christerson SX7791, John Marshall SX7759 William Gates SX6867 and Glanville Porter SX7315 all from the 2/48th Battalion. A tragic day.
Whilst George was posthumously awarded the 1939/45 Star, African Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal, by the time they were posted to his mother in 1953, she had died on the 19th January 1952 so they were returned unclaimed. Sarah had been severely injured in January 1950 when struck by a tram in Adelaide, sustaining a fractured skull, concussion and a compound fracture of her leg. Two years later in an horrific fire in her cottage at Carrington Street, Adelaide, believed to be started by a smouldering cigarette, Sarah was incinerated whilst asleep on her settee. She is buried in the West Terrace cemetery where her gravestone also carries George’s name.
George is also remembered at the Alamein Memorial on Column 94 with others from the 2/48th Battalion; Clyde E. Arblaster, SX7945, Robert Catermole, SX10361 J.W.T. Christerson SX6935 and Herbert Neumann SX8014 He is also listed on the Barmera Memorial gates.
His extended family and Riverland friends continued to remember him on the anniversary of his death.
Advertiser Friday 1 May 1942, BROWN. —In loving memory of G. T. Brown (Blue), killed in action May 1, 1941. Years roll on but memories stay. As near and dear as yesterday. —Inserted by the Smith family. BROWN. —In loving memory of G. T. Brown (Tommy); killed in action May 1, 1941. Not just today, but every day. in silence we remember. —Inserted by Elsie and family. BROWN. —in loving memory of George (Bluey) Brown, who was killed in action on May 1 1941, at Tobruk. "His duty nobly done"—Ever remembered by the; McFarlane family. BROWN. —In loving memory of Private G. T. Brown, who made the Supreme sacrifice for his country at Tobruk on May 1, 1941. Time passes on, but memory stays. —inserted by Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh and Dulcie.
Advertiser Saturday 1 May 1943, BROWN. —In loving memory of my son George Brown, killed in action on May 1, 1941. Tears roll on, but memories linger. —Remembered by mother, sister and brothers. BROWN. —ln loving memory of Pte. G. T. Brown (Bluey), killed in action at Tobruk. on May 1, 1941. —Ever remembered by Mr. and Mrs. Mclntosh and Dulcie. BROWN. —In loving memory of Pte G. T. Brown (Ginger), killed at Tobruk May 1, 1941. A smiling face and a heart of gold. —lnserted by Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Chapman And family.
Advertiser Monday 1 May 1944, BROWN. —In loving memory of George, killed In action at Tobruk on May 1 1941. Forever well remember. Inserted by Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh. and Dulcie.
Advertiser Tuesday 1 May 1945, BROWN. —In loving memory of George .T. Brown. 2/48th Battalion, who was killed in action at Tobruk on May 1 1941 When last we saw his smiling face, He looked so bright and well Little did we think that day Would be our last farewell. This little token, so true and so tender. Is for George. who in our hearts we will always remember. —Inserted by his ever-loving mother, sisters, Nellie, Minnie, and brothers, Jasper and Bill. Requiescat in pace. ' BROWN. —In loving memory of George, killed in action at Tobruk, May 1. 1941. A leaf in the book of memory has gently turned today. —Ever remembered by Mr. and Mrs. Mcintosh and Dulcie.
Advertiser Thursday 2 May 1946, BROWN. —In loving memory of George T. Brown, who was killed in action at Tobruk, on May 1, 1941. We often think of you dear George. And think of how you died; To think we could not say good-bye. Before you closed your eyes. Not a day do we forget you. In our hearts you are always near; We. who loved you dear, sadly miss you As it dawns another year. —So lovingly remembered by his mother, sister Nellie, brothers Jasper, Bill.
Advertiser Monday 5 May 1947, BROWN. — In loving memory of George, killed in action at Tobruk, May 1. 1941. — Ever remembered by Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh and Dulcie.
Mail Saturday 1 May 1948, BROWN, G. T.— 2/48th Don. Coy., killed in action May 1, 1941. Re-membered always by Bill. Min. and family.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.