Military History

Brown was promoted to Lance Corporal 16.7.1915 before embarkation.
Embarked Fremantle per A32 HMAT ‘Themosticles’ 13.10.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 10th Reinforcement, 16th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force.
Brown disembarked at Suez, with the 4th Machine Gun Battalion. He was transferred to Helonan with Bronchitis 11.1.1916. Brown was admitted to No.2 ANZAC Hospital 18.1.1916. He rejoined his unit and was taken on strength at Ismailia 5.2.1916. He was transferred to the 4th Brigade Machine Gun Company 28.6.1916. This unit had been formed in Egypt in March 1916. They entrained to Alexandria and joined the British Expeditionary Force 1.6.1916. The 4th Machine Gun Company embarked for France 1.6.1916. They disembarked at Marseilles 9.6.1916 and fought on the Somme. Brown was sick and admitted to hospital with measles 9.3.1917. He rejoined his unit 6.4.1917. Brown was appointed Acting Corporal 19.6.1917. He was promoted to Temporary Corporal 14.4.1918 and appointed Sergeant 15.4.1918. He was appointed Orderly Room Clerk 15.4.1918. Brown became sick with pyrexia - a fever, and was admitted to hospital 12.7.918. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with Influenza and retained in hospital 21.7.1918. He rejoined his unit in France 3.8.1918 and fought at Hamel and defended Allied positions against the German Offensive. He marched out with his Battalion from France to Headquarters in London 2.6.1919.
Embarked for Australia per HT ‘Suevic’.
Returned/Disembarked at Fremantle 2.9.1919.
Discharged 30.10.1919.
Final Rank RSM, 4th Machine Gun Battery.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Meritorious Service Award for valuable service in France and Flanders 3.6.1919.
Meritorious Service Medal.
Recommendation for Military Medal.

‘For consistent gallantry and devotion to duty during the 1918 offensive. As Orderly Room Sgt. Brown’s work has always been of the best. Although often under shell fire and exposed to bomb attacks, Brown by his coolness and willingness, has set a splendid example and been invaluable to the Bn. He is strongly recommended for award.’
Major –Gen. Sinclair MacLaven (AWM Honours and Awards)

Notes Brown's brother also served - SN 7947 Private John Alban Viveash Brown of 51st Battalion (returned)
Photos HMAT 'Themistocles' at Fremantle. Photographer unknown, photograph source  AWM 304038
             4th Machine Gun Camp and 11th Light Horse Regt. on Nile Delta. Photographer unknown, Photograph source AWM B01311A
             4th Machine Gun Company at La Caronne near Vieux Berquin, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P02670.017

Information Source
AWM 304038. HMAT 'Themistocles' at Fremantle. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collectio of the Australian War Memorial
AWM B01311A. 4th Machine Gun Camp and 11th Light Horse Regt. on Nile Delta. Photographer unknown, Photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australiann War Memorial
AWM P02670.017. 4th Machine Gun Company at La Caronne near Vieux Berquin, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- Harold Clare Brown
Australian War Memorial Honours and Awards – Harold Clare Brown
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: B 2455, Brown, H C 3091

‘Brookville’, Newcastle Rd., Midland Junction, WA.

Associated Images