William Charles BROWN

Regimental number1142
Place of birthCambridge England
ReligionChurch of England
Occupationlabourer
Addressc/o J Bellamy, Thornley, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24
Next of kinFather, Albert Charles Brown, 9 Chimney Land, Balsham, Cambridgeshire, England
Enlistment date6299419
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll15 March 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name18th Battalion, D Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/35/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board Transport A40 Ceramic on 25 June 1915
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll53rd Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 21 March 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'For conspicuous bravery during the attack on PERONNE on the 1st September 1918. This N.C.O. was in charge of the limbers bringing up rations on the night of 1st inst. Owing to very heavy casualties it was impossible to send ration parties any great distance and consequently orders were issued for the limbers to come as far forward as possible. Lance Corporal BROWN on three occasions was caught in an enemy barrage and forced to go back a considerable distance to avoid the destruction of his limbers and animals. In spite of this he returned on each occasion and on the fourth attempt was able to bring the rations to within 800 yards of the front line. It was owing to the skill and bravery showed by this N.C.O. that the rations were able to be taken to the front line that night, as had they been dumped any further back, the carrying forward of them would have been impossible.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919

Other detailsMedals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal