Charles Stewart Brown MM (1912)

Biography

Charles Stewart Brown MM was born on 27th September 1912 in Bristol, Somerset, England, United Kingdom.

He migrated to New South Wales, Australia.

On 21st October 1939 Charles enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force and was allocated to the Corps of Signals. His next of kin was listed as Marjory Wiles. He quickly gained promotion to the senior non-commissioned rank of Sergeant and was appointed Signals Sergeant, 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion during the Greece-Crete Campaign of March-May 1941. ^[1] At Greece he became a prisoner-of-war, however, soon escaped and rejoined his unit. ^[2]

Charles was awarded the Military Medal (MM) for 'courageous behaviour and determination in escape from Greece'; gazetted on 24th September 1942. By the time of the presentation at Government House Sydney on 15th March 1950 Charles was living at 6 Moruben Road, Mosman, on Sydney's North Shore. ^[3][4] He was also Mentioned in Despatches (equivalent to today's Commendation for Gallantry) for 'gallant and distinguished service in the South West Pacific Area'; gazetted on 23rd December 1943. ^[5][6]

Following commissioning and subsequent promotion to Captain, Charles was discharged on 31st March 1945. ^[1] He was issued the campaign and service medals, 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945 and Australia Service Medal 1939-1945.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll: NX4120 Sergeant Charles Stewart Brown; accessed 25 May 2021
2. ↑ POW Memorial Ballarat; accessed 27 Sep 2021
3. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards (recommendation): Military Medal; accessed 25 May 2021
4. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: Military Medal; accessed 25 May 2021
5. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards (recommendation): Mentioned in Despatches; accessed 25 May 2021
6. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: Mentioned in Despatches; accessed 25 May 2021