BROWN, Albert John
| Service Numbers: | 2007, 211 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 February 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 1st Divisional Signal Company |
| Born: | St Helens, Tasmania, Australia, 24 June 1890 |
| Home Town: | St Helens, Break O'Day, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Telegraphist |
| Died: | Frankston, Victoria, Australia, 1977, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Carr Villa War Cemetery, Launceston, Tasmania |
| Memorials: | Hobart Postmaster-General's Department WW1 Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Feb 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2007, 12th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr 1915: | Involvement Private, 2007, 12th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Lincoln embarkation_ship_number: A17 public_note: '' | |
| 1 Apr 1915: | Embarked Private, 2007, 12th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Port Lincoln, Adelaide | |
| 14 Aug 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 211, 1st Divisional Signal Company, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 5 Mar 1918: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 1st Divisional Signal Company |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Alfred Brown enlisted with the 12th Battalion with the regimental number 2007. He arrived on Gallipoli during mid-June 1915 and transferred to the 1st Divisional Signal Company on 14 August 1915, probably due to the fact that he worked as a telegraphist before enlisting.
He was not there long before being evacuated to Egypt with sickness.
He served in France uninterrupted throughout 1916 and 1917. He was awarded a Military Medal for his work during the heavy fighting during the Battle of Broodseinde on 4 October 1917. The recommendation states “At Remus Wood during the operations of October 4th, Sapper Brown as telegraphist at Cable Divisional Signals he displayed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During the height of the battle the telegraphists at Brigade Forward Station having become exhausted, Sapper Brown volunteered and went up through a heavy enemy barrage to the forward station and remained on duty continuously for 48 hours and telegraphed important operation messages back at very high rate of speed. His action contributed largely to the success of forward signal communications.”
Alfred was wounded by a gunshot to the thigh during March 1918 and evacuated to England. He was treated in England for some months before he was returned to Australia later in 1918 due to his wound. He was discharged in Hobart, Tasmania during March 1919.
As a telegraphist, Alfred worked for the Post Masters General Department, the P.M.G. for most of his life, retiring in 1955. He worked for many years in Tasmania and did his last eight years as the postmaster in Bairnsdale, Victoria. He passed away in Launceston during 1977, at the age of 87.
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