Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30849, VICTORIA CROSS,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30849/pages/9659. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 1689A Corporal Walter Ernest Brown, D.C.M., Australian Imperial Force. For most conspicuous bravery and determination when with an advanced party from his battalion which was going into the line in relief. On 6th July 1918 at Villers-Bretonneux, France, the company to which he was attached carried out during the night a minor operation resulting in the recapture of a small system of enemy trench. Early on the following morning an enemy strong post about seventy yards distant caused the occupants of the newly captured trench great inconvenience by persistent sniping. Hearing that it had been decided to rush this post, Corporal Brown, on his own initiative, crept out along the shallow trench and made a dash towards the post. An enemy machine-gun opened fire from another trench and forced him to take cover. Later he again dashed forward and reached his objective. With a Mills grenade in his hand he stood at the door of a dug-out and called on the occupants to surrender. One of the enemy rushed out, a scuffle ensued, and Corporal Brown knocked him down with his fist. Loud cries of “Kamerad” were then heard, and from the dug-out an officer and eleven other ranks appeared. This party Corporal Brown brought back as prisoners to our line, the enemy meanwhile from other positions bringing heavy machine-gun fire to bear on the party. DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30961/supplements/12386.
Fold3_Team · Oct 31, 2023
Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30849, VICTORIA CROSS,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30849/pages/9659. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 1689A Corporal Walter Ernest Brown, D.C.M., Australian Imperial Force. For most conspicuous bravery and determination when with an advanced party from his battalion which was going into the line in relief. On 6th July 1918 at Villers-Bretonneux, France, the company to which he was attached carried out during the night a minor operation resulting in the recapture of a small system of enemy trench. Early on the following morning an enemy strong post about seventy yards distant caused the occupants of the newly captured trench great inconvenience by persistent sniping. Hearing that it had been decided to rush this post, Corporal Brown, on his own initiative, crept out along the shallow trench and made a dash towards the post. An enemy machine-gun opened fire from another trench and forced him to take cover. Later he again dashed forward and reached his objective. With a Mills grenade in his hand he stood at the door of a dug-out and called on the occupants to surrender. One of the enemy rushed out, a scuffle ensued, and Corporal Brown knocked him down with his fist. Loud cries of “Kamerad” were then heard, and from the dug-out an officer and eleven other ranks appeared. This party Corporal Brown brought back as prisoners to our line, the enemy meanwhile from other positions bringing heavy machine-gun fire to bear on the party. DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30961/supplements/12386.