Godfrey Brown

Thank you to Bruce Kettles for providing the service file

 

Apr 13, 1891

Born to Godfrey Magnus and Hanna Catherine (nee Cosens) Brown in Stonewall, Manitoba

 

Oct 18, 1917

Medical examination performed under the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917, at Ottawa, Ontario 

He was declared fit for service but requiring physical training

 

Nov 23, 1917

Married to Leda Mae Warner Alguire at Ottawa, Ontario

 

Jan 22, 1918

Conscripted for active service into the 2nd Depot Battalion Eastern Ontario Regiment under the MSA at Ottawa, Ontario 

Ø      Number 3320395

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs G. Brown, (wife) of 282 Spark St, Ottawa, Ontario

o       This was later changed to read 156 Nepean St, Ottawa, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Auto Mechanic

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian

 

Feb 12, 1918

Embarked the HMS Lapland at Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Feb 25, 1918

Disembarked at Glasgow, Scotland and proceeded to Seaford, England.  On arrival in Seaford the entire draft was TOS (Taken On Strength) the 6th Reserve Battalion

 

Jun 10, 1918

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Jun 11, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples, France and TOS the 21st Battalion

 

Jun 17, 1918

Arrived at the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) at Aubin St Vaast

 

Jun 22, 1918

Left the CC Rein C to join the Battalion

 

Jun 23, 1918

Joined the 21st Battalion in Divisional Reserve at Betencourt as part of a draft of 20 Other Ranks from the Reinforcement Camp

 

Oct 12, 1918

Private Brown received a shrapnel wound to his right leg and was admitted to the No 9 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for treatment.  The same day he was transferred to the No 33 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

 

  Below is from the 21st Battalion's War Diary

 

Oct 13, 1918

He was then transferred via the No 6 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No 2 Australian General Hospital at Boulogne

 

Oct 17, 1918

He was then invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Pieter de Coninck

He was posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital 

Admitted to the General Military Hospital at Colchester

 

Nov 7, 1918

Transferred to the Coombe Lodge VAD (Volunteer Aid Detachment) Hospital at Great Warley, Essex, and declared to be dangerously ill.

 

Private Brown died of his wounds later that day from shock and loss of blood

 


Great Warley Christ Church Cemetery
Essex, England

 

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs L.M. Brown, c/o W.J. Alguire, Farran’s Point, Ontario.  Note that this town no longer exists as it was flooded to create the St Lawrence Seaway. 

His widow later remarried and her name was changed to read Mrs Leda M. Slata, living at Alburgh, Vermont, USA 

 


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