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Private HARRY BROWN

Service Number: 226353
Regiment & Unit/Ship

Canadian Infantry

10th Bn.

Date of Death

Died 17 August 1917

Age 19 years old

Buried or commemorated at

NOEUX-LES-MINES COMMUNAL CEMETERY

II. J. 29.

France

Photo transferred from 'TRIM' system entry for Private Harry Brown VC in Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, France showing the replacement headstone bearing his correct initial erected in 2018

Photographer: CWGC

  • Country of Service Canadian
  • Awards Victoria Cross
  • Additional Info Son of Mrs. P. McAuliffe.
  • Additional Citation note

    An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30338, dated 16th Oct, 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."

  • N.B. There is some evidence to suggest that this individual was baptised as John Henry BROWN.
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