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Sgt. Donald Forrester Brown VC
New Zealand Expeditionary Force 2nd Bn. Otago Regiment
from:Oamaru, New Zealand
(d.1st October 1916)
Donald Brown was killed in action on 1st of October 1916 aged 26 and is buried in the Warlencourt British Cemetery in France. He was the son of Robert and Jessie Brown, of Wharf St., Oamaru, New Zealand. Native of Dunedin.
An extract from the London Gazette, No. 30130, dated 14th July, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and determination in attack (south-east of High Wood, France, on September 15, 1916), when the company to which he belonged had suffered very heavy casualties in officers and men from machine gun fire. At great personal risk this N.C.O.advanced with a comrade and succeeded in reaching a point within 30 yds. of the enemy guns. Four of the gun crew were killed and the gun captured. The advance of the company was continued until it was again held up by machine gun fire. Again Serjt. Brown and his comrade, with great gallantry, rushed the gun and killed the crew. After this second position had been won, the company came under very heavy shell fire, and the utter contempt for danger and coolness under fire of this N.C.O. did much to keep up the spirit of his men. On a subsequent occasion in attack, Serjt. Brown showed most conspicuous gallantry. He attacked, single handed, a machine gun which was holding up the attack, killed the gun crew, and captured the gun. Later, whilst sniping the retreating enemy, this very gallant soldier was killed."
