In memory of
Private
 HARRY W  BROWN
who died on August 17, 1917

Béthune, France

Military Service:

Service Number: 226353

Age: 19

Force: Army

Unit: Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment)

Division: 10th Battalion

Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30338, dated October 16, 1917, records the following:
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.

Honours and Awards:  Victoria Cross

Additional Information:

Date of Birth: May 9, 1898

Gananoque, Ontario, Canada

Date of Enlistment: August 18, 1916

London, Ontario, Canada

Son of Mrs. Helen McAuliffe, East Emily, Ontario. He stated he was employed as a farmer and was single. The town of Gananoque and the Gananoque Legion will be displaying Brown's original Victoria Cross at the Legion in August 2007 to mark the 90th anniversary of the action which earned Brown the award. Also planned is a cairn to Pte. Brown.

Commemorated on Page 208 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
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There is a digital photo collection relating to HARRY W BROWN.

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HARRY W BROWN is a recipient of the Victoria Cross.

[COMPLETE LIST OF CANADIAN VICTORIA CROSS RECIPIENTS]

Burial Information:

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

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