Brown, Charles Thomas – Australian soldier died in Grantham 

Charles Thomas Brown (1883-1917)

Charles Brown was born at Widden Creek, New South Wales, Australia.

He was a 33-year-old, single farmer from Denman, when he enlisted

with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in 1916.

Pte Charles Thomas Brown was posted to Machine Gun Reinforcements for recruit training then transferred to Machine Gun Depot in August, 1916. He was transferred to 8th Reinforcements of 9th Machine Gun Company the following month.

He embarked from Melbourne, on RMS Osterley on 14th February, 1917 with

the 9th Machine Gun Company, 8th Reinforcements and disembarked at Plymouth, on 11th April, 1917.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England.

Pte Brown was marched in to Australian Machine Gun Training Depot at

Grantham, Lincolnshire, England on 12th April, 1917, but weeks later was taken to to Belton Hospital with Broncho-pneumonia.

He died from it on 30th April at Belton Military Hospital.

Private Charles Thomas Brown was entitled to British War Medal only, as he had not entered a Theatre of War.

Compiled by Cathy Sedgwick