Military History

Embarked Fremantle per transport ‘Medic’ A7 for Egypt 2.11.1914.
Roll Rank Major.
Roll Unit 8th Battery Field Artillery, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade.
Major Bessell-Browne disembarked with the 8th Battery in Alexandria 12.12.1914.
He embarked for Gallipoli with his Battery from Alexandria. They landed at Gallipoli on 1.5.1915. The 8th Battery was one of the first to see action in Gallipoli. They were initially limited by lack of good gun positions and difficult terrain. They were twice placed in front line positions to fire over enemy trenches. Bessell-Browne transferred briefly to the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade HQ 28.8.1915, but returned to the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade in September 1915. The 3rd Brigade Field Artillery Brigade was withdrawn on 19.12.1915. He commanded the Rear Party Artillery at the evacuation from ANZAC. For his services at Gallipoli, Bessell-Browne was made a Companion of the order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG).
Bessell-Browne was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 1.1.1916. He developed a hernia and was admitted to the 2nd Australian General Hospital at Ghezireh 11.1916. He rejoined the Brigade from hospital 14.12.1916 and was transferred to the 2nd Brigade 19.2.1916. He embarked from Alexandria with his Brigade for France 12.3.1916. They disembarked at Marseilles, moved to the Somme Valley and fought at Pozieres. Bessell-Browne was attached temporarily to 1st Australian A A H Q from 2nd Field Artillery Brigade 22.9.1916. He took over command of the 1st Australian Division Artillery during absence of Brigadier General J. T. Hobbs, 18.1.1917. As Temporary Brigadier General he commanded the 5th Division at Bullecourt and the Third Ypres.
Bessell-Browne was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatches for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty in the field 13.11.1916. As a result of his service he was awarded the Colonial Aux Forces Long Service Medal 9.1.1917 and promoted to Brig. Gen. 18.1.1917. He received a special mention in Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatch 9.4.1917 and was promoted to rank of Col. He later became the Aide de Comp to His Excellency the Governor General 1.4.1917. He was mentioned again in Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatches of 7.4.1918. Bessell-Browne was made a member of Military Division of 3rd Class of Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath for services rendered with the Military Operations in France and Flanders’ 3.6.1918. He was again mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatch 6.3.1919.
Embarked Plymouth for Australia per HMAT ’Marathon’ (Special) 9.4.1919 and sailed 20.4.1919 (West Australian Newspaper 1.5.1919)
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 30.5.1919 (Sydney Morning Herald 3.6.1919)
Discharged/Appt. Terminated 31.7.1919.
Final Rank Brigadier General.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals Mentioned thrice in Sir D. Haig’s Despatches 9.4.1917, 3.6.1918, 6.3.1919.
Member of Military Davison of 3rd Class of Companion of the most Hon. Order of the Bath.
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St. George (CMG).
Distinguished Service Order.
Colonial Aux Forces Long Service Medal.
Notes Bessell-Browne received 14 Recommendations for his service in WW1 and was mentioned 9 times in Despatches. He resided post WW1 in the old Anglican Rectory in James Street, Guildford, WA.
Bessell-Browne was the father of the artillery in Guildford and greatly revered for his dedication to his men during and after the war. He was responsible for the formation of the Annual Gunners' Day commemoration services in Guildford and has a special commemorative plaque honouring him is located in St Matthew’s Garrison Church in the Soldiers' Chapel. He unveiled the plaque on the Memory Gates in Stirling Square in 1932 to Honour the Artillery, 10 LH and ASC men who trained in Guildford during WW1.
Photo Western Mail 19.11.1915,
           Battye Library 1100015PD. LSWA
           HMAT 'Medic' 1914. Photographer Hood, Samuel J. Photograph source AWM H19319
           Horses and Guns going ashore at Gallipoli 1915. Photograph by Darge Studio, photograph sourced AWM J03269
           Artillery Horses on the road between Popperhinge and Ypres.1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source E00827
           Memory Gates Guildford- Plaque unveiled by Brig. Gen. Bessell-Browne in  Stirling Square Guildford

Information Source
AWM H19319HMAT 'Medic' 1914. Photographer Hood, Samuel J. Photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM J03269. Horses and Guns going ashore at Gallipoli 1915. Photograph by Darge Studio, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E00827. Artillery Horses on the road between Popperhinge and Ypres.1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- Alfred Joseph Bessell- Browne
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Bessell-Browne
Guildford War Memorial
Memory Gates Guildford- Plaque unveiled by Brig. Gen. Bessell-Browne in  Stirling Square Guildford
NAA: B2455, Bessell- Browne A J
Sydney Morning Herald
West Australian Newspaper
Western Mail
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA


‘Wandoo’ West Swan, via Guildford, WA.
Later at Old Rectory, James Street, Guildford, WA.

Associated Images