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Apr 13, 1881
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Born in Ottawa, Ontario
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Feb 11, 1915
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Attested into the 21st Battalion in
Kingston, Ontario
Ø Number 59108 (temporary number 1238)
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs. Thomas Fitzgerald, aunt, Pembroke, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Labourer
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Presbyterian
The battalion trained in the Kingston area
through the winter months of 1914-15
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Apr 10, 1915
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Sentenced to 10 days detention. The offence was not recorded in the file
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Devonport, England and the
battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent, to continue training
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Jul 23, 1915
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Sentenced to 10 days detention, forfeiture of 6
days pay, and restricted to half pay for 1 month for being absent for 6 days
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Aug 5, 1915
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Sentenced to 14 days detention, forfeiture of 2
days pay and restricted to half pay for 3 months for being absent
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Sep 7, 1915
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Sentenced to 28 days detention and forfeiture of
8 days pay for being absent
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Sep 14, 1915
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Released from detention early in order to embark the
St. Seiriol in Folkestone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the
battalion proceeded to St. Omer
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Feb 24, 1916
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Sentenced to 7 days Field Punishment #1, 14 days
Extra Fatigues and fined $2.00 for being drunk and escaping custody
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Jul 4, 1916
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Sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment #1 for
being absent and forfeited 3 days pay
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Jul 15, 1916
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Forfeited 1 day’s pay for being absent
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Sep 15, 1916
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The battalion was given the task of taking
German strong point in a sugar refinery near Courcelette as part of the Somme Offensive. During that advance, Private Brown received
shrapnel wounds to his right leg. He was
first treated at a field ambulance then transferred to a casualty clearing station for
further treatment before being admitted to the 1st Australian Hospital in Rouen
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Sep 17, 1916
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Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship
Maheno
Posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly
Centre) while in hospital
On disembarking in England he was admitted to
the No. 2 Southern General Hospital, Bristol
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Sep 29, 1916
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Transferred to the Bearwood CCH (Canadian
Convalescent Hospital), Wokingham
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Oct 24, 1916
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Discharged from hospital and reported to the
CCAC at Shoreham
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Nov 1, 1916
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Attached to the CCD (Canadian Convalescent
Depot) at Shoreham for Physical Therapy
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Jan 24, 1917
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Discharged from St. Leonard’s Hospital and
TOS the 6th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling
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Feb 15, 1917
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Granted permission to marry
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Mar 16, 1917
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Next of kin is changed to read Mrs. Mary Ann
Brown (nee Sparrow), wife, c/o Imperial Hotel, Belfast, Ireland then changed to read c/o
Mr. Sparrow, 44 Commerce St., South Side, Glasgow, Scotland
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May 3, 1917
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Posted to the 21st
Battalion
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May 4, 1917
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the
Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 344 reinforcements for the front and
TOS the 21st Battalion
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May 31, 1917
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Joined the 21st Battalion in the
front line on Vimy Ridge
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Aug 17, 1917
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Proceeded on course. (there is no mention of what type of course he was
sent on)
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Aug 28, 1917
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Rejoined the battalion from course
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Nov 3, 1917
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The 21st Battalion moved into the
Passchendaele front near Crest Farm in the early morning hours. The enemy launched an artillery barrage followed
by an attack by storm troopers. The battalion
suffered many casualties, Private Brown being among them, suffering from severe shrapnel
wounds. He was evacuated to the No. 44 CCS
(Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment.
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Nov 4, 1917
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Private William Brown died of his wounds at the
No. 44 CCS and was buried in the Nine Elms British
Cemetery, near Poperinghe Belgium
Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War
Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were all
sent to his widow, Mrs. M.A. Brown, Big Bridge, Knocknacarry, County Antrim, Ireland
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