Topic: AIF - 1B - 2 LHR
2nd LHR, AIF
2nd Light Horse Regiment
William John Brown
A brief military biography of William John Brown from The AIF Project:
| Regimental number | 272 |
| Date of birth | 17 November 1872 |
| Place of birth | Drayton, Queensland |
| School | Wellcamp State School, Queensland |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Address | Wellcamp, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 37 |
| Next of kin | Father, John Brown, Wellcamp, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Previous military service | Served in the South African (Boer) War. |
| Enlistment date | 22 August 1914 |
| Rank on enlistment | SQSM |
| Unit name | 2nd Light Horse Regiment, B Squadron |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 10/7/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A15 Star of England on 24 September 1914 |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Major |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 2nd Light Horse Regiment |
| Promotions | 2nd Lieutenant Lieutenant Captain Major |
| Fate | Returned to Australia 16 June 1919 |
| Medals | Distinguished Service Order 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 14th July 1918, in command of a post near Mussulabeh which was heavily shelled. The enemy attacked it in strength, but were repulsed. Major Borwn, leaving sufficient of his garrison to protect his front, directed the bulk of his machine gun and rifle fire on to an enemy concentration in Wahi Dhib, and also took their paties attacking Abu Talbut right in reverse, inflicting heavy casualties and demoralizing the enemy. Thereby he materially assisted the counter attack by another cavalry regiment later in morning. Throughout the operations he handled his command with great coolness and judgment.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 67 Date: 3 June 1919 |
| Discharge date | 4 September 1919 |
| Other details | Understated age in order to enlist in the AIF. War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Palestine, Sgria Appointed Squadron Sergeant Major, 27 August 1914; 2nd Lieutenant, 15 May 1915. Returned to Australia, 27 September 1917; re-embarked for overseas service, 2 November 1917; rejoined 2nd Light Horse Regiment, 12 January 1918. Medals: Distinyuished Service Order, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal ~ |
| Date of death | 23 March 1938 |
| Age at death | 55 |
| Place of burial | Toowoomba Cemetery, Queensland |
Further Reading:
Citation: 2nd LHR, AIF, William John Brown
Posted by Project Leader
at 1:01 AM EADT
Updated: Friday, 29 May 2009 11:13 PM EADT
