Military History

Brown disembarked at Egypt with the 3rd Light Horse Squadron. He entrained with his Regiment for Alexandria, where they joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force and embarked for Gallipoli 8.5.1915. Brown’s regiment was involved in the charge at The Nek and at Hill 60 in August 1915. Brown was promoted to Lance Corporal at ANZAC 4.9.1915. He was admitted to Hospital at ANZAC with Influenza 13.9.1915. Brown was transferred to Mudros with enteritis 18.9.1915, then transferred per Hospital Ship ’Somali’ for Malta 21.9.1915. In poor health, he was invalided to the UK 21.10.1915. He was admitted to Palace Green. When fit he was discharged for active service with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in Egypt. He disembarked at Alexandria 30.6.1916.
Brown was taken on strength with his Regiment and then transferred to the 10th Light Horse Brigade Machine Gun Section at Moascar 1.8.1916. He was taken on strength with the 10th Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron at Ballybunion, a base SE of Kantara 23.7.1916. He was promoted to Corporal at El Arish 24.12.1916, to Temporary Sergeant at El Warak (near Cairo) 25.4.1917 and to Sergeant 18.8 1917. He passed as first Class Instructor at the Course in Machine Guns in Zietoun 18.11.1916. Brown was promoted to Corporal 17.9.1916 at Bir-el-warab.
He was detached to Officer School, then to the Gas School at Rafa 14.1.1918. He then was sent to the Imperial School of Instruction 20.4.1918. Brown was hospitalised in Moascar 25.5.1918. He was promoted to Squadron Sergeant Major 5.6.1918.
He was admitted to Hospital in Cairo 24.8.1918. Brown was again hospitalized with diarrhoea 20.10.1918 and sent to Rest Camp at Port Said 18.10.1918. He rejoined his unit 1.1.1919. Brown marched into ‘A’ Details Moascar for repatriation to Australia 19.4 1919.
Embarked Port Said per HT ‘Dorset’ 24.9.1919 for return to Australia.
To hospital at sea 5.5.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 6.5.1919.
Discharged 4.8.1919.
Final Rank Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM) Machine Gun Squadron, 3rd Light Horse.
Medical Condition. Invalided post severe enteritis.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes National Archives Australia incorrectly recorded his place of enlistment as Guildford, NSW instead of Guildford, WA.
Photos Cpl. W. C. Brown . Photograph sourced from the Western Mail 28.7.1916 p28
             SS 'Mashobra'. Photographer unknown, photograph source Naval Collection AWM P10509.023.001
             Gallipoli, Soldiers at the ready in the firing line at Shrapnel Gully 1915. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H00195A
             Machine Gunners of the 3rd Australian Light Horse. Photographer F. Hurley, photograph source  AWM P0361.087

Information Source
AWM P10509.023.001. SS 'Mashobra'. Photographer unknown, photograph source Naval Collection  from the Australian War Memorial
AWM H00195A. Gallipoli, Soldiers at the ready in the firing line at Shrapnel Gully 1915. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P0361.087. Machine Gunners of the 3rd Australian Light Horse. Photographer F. Hurley, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial

Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- William Charles Brown
NAA: B2455, Brown W C 43
Wesley Chapel Honour Roll
Western Mail
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

43 Swan Street Guildford, WA.
1924 living in Gnowangerup, WA.

Associated Images