William Alexander Brown

Thank you to Bruce Kettles for providing the service file

 

May 3, 1895

Born to Alexander and Mary Brown at Plattsville, Ontario

 

Feb 19, 1916

Attested into the 168th Battalion at Woodstock, Ontario

Ø      Number 675579

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs Mary Brown, mother, of Plattsville, Ontario

o       There is a note in the file to notify Louis Brown, brother, at 7 Rose Ave., Brantford, Ontario.  His address was later changed to Pte L. Brown, 3310039, 2nd Depot Battalion, Central Ontario Regiment, Brantford, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Clerk

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian

 

Mar 6, 1916

Attended the School of Instruction

 

May 1, 1916

Rejoined the Battalion from the School of Instruction

 

Jun 1, 1916

The Battalion moved to Camp Borden, near Barrie, Ontario for training.

 

Jul 6, 1916

Promoted to the provisional rank of Sergeant

 

Oct 30, 1916

Embarked the SS Lapland at Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Nov 10, 1916

Reverted to the rank of Acting Corporal

 

Nov 11, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool, England and proceeded to West Sandling, near Hythe, Kent

 

Dec 5, 1916

The 168th Battalion was absorbed into the 39th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling

 

Jan 4, 1917

The 39th Reserve Battalion was absorbed into the newly created 6th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

 

Feb 13, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant

 

Oct 17, 1917

Reverted to the rank of Private in order to proceed to a fighting battalion in France

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Oct 18, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples, France as part of a draft of 97 reinforcements from England and was TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Oct 22, 1917

Arrived at the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) at Calonne Ricouart

 

Nov 6, 1917

Left Calonne Ricouart for the staging area at Poperinghe, Belgium in preparation to join the 21st Battalion in the field

 

Nov 20, 1917

Joined the 21st Battalion in billets at Camblain L’Abbe, north west of Arras.  The reinforcements were sent to replace some of the casualties suffered at Passchendaele

 

Feb 19, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

 

Jul 7, 1918

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) diagnosed with Bronchial Pneumonia.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 7 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

 

Jul 8, 1918

Reported to be dangerously ill

 

Jul 22, 1918

Private Brown died of Bronchial Pneumonia at the No. 7 CCS


Ligny St Flochel British Cemetery
Averdoingt France

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs Mary Brown, at Plattsville, Ontario 

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, A. Brown, at the same address

 

 


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