Harry W. Brown

For other people named Harry Brown, see Harry Brown (disambiguation).
Harry W. Brown
Born 10 May 1898
Gananoque, Ontario
Died 17 August 1917
Meharicourt, France
Buried at Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery (Plot 11. Row J. Grave 29)
Allegiance Canada
Service/branch Canadian Expeditionary Force
Years of service 1916 - 1917
Rank Private
Unit 10th Battalion, CEF
Battles/wars First World War 
Awards Victoria Cross

Harry W. Brown VC (10 May 1898 17 August 1917) was a Canadian First World War recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Background

Harry Brown, from Gananoque, Ontario,[1] was born on 10 May 1898. He was a farmer in civilian life.[1] He enlisted with the Depot Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles on 18 August 1916 at London, Ontario, where, according to his attestation paper, he was residing at the time. After being sent overseas, he was transferred to the 10th Battalion, CEF.

Brown was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 16 August 1917, during the Battle of Hill 70 against the Germans, when Brown and another soldier ran the gauntlet with an "important message". Brown sustained mortal injury, and died the following day, 17 August.

Citation

For most conspicuous bravery, courage and devotion to duty. After the capture of a position, the enemy massed in force and counter-attacked. The situation became very critical, all wires being cut. It was of the utmost importance to get word back to Headquarters. This soldier and one other were given the message with orders to deliver the same at all costs. The other messenger was killed. Private Brown had his arm shattered but continued on through an intense barrage until he arrived at the close support lines and found an officer. He was so spent that he fell down the dug-out steps, but retained consciousness long enough to hand over his message, saying ' Important message.' He then became unconscious and died in the dressing station a few hours later. His devotion to duty was of the highest possible degree imaginable, and his successful delivery of the message undoubtedly saved the loss of the position for the time and prevented many casualties.
The London Gazette, No. 30338, 16 October 1917[2] [3]

Harry Brown's Victoria Cross is displayed at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Canada. The 10th Battalion, CEF is perpetuated by the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and the Calgary Highlanders of the Canadian Army Reserve.

He is also commemorated on the Omemee, Ontario Cenotaph, as his next of kin resided in Emily Township.

References

  1. 1 2 {{Harry Brown, findagrave.com}}
  2. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30338. p. 10678. 16 October 1917. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  3. Brown, Harry, Commonwealth War Graves Commission

External links

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