Personal info
- Name: Walter Ernest BROWN
- D.O.B: 3rd Jul, 1885
- D.O.A: 6th Jul, 1918
- D.O.D: 14th Feb, 1942
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Corporal, 20th Battalion (New South Wales), 5th Brigade, 2nd Division, Australian Imperial Force
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Accroche Wood, south-east of Le Hamel, France 6 July 1918
6 July 1918
The First World War 1918
Following their victory at Le Hamel on 4 July 1918, the Australians strengthened their position to the east of the village as the Germans retreated. On 6 July 1918 Corporal W E Brown, 20th Battalion (New South Wales), 5th Brigade, distinguished himself by his gallantry in single-handedly disposing of a German strongpoint near Accroche Wood, which lay southeast of Le Hamel towards Lamotte-Warfusée.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery and determination when with an advanced party from his battalion which was going into the line in relief. The company to which he was attached carried out during the night a minor operation resulting in the capture of a small system of enemy trench. Early on the following morning an enemy strong post about seventy yards distant caused the occupants of the newly captured trench great inconvenience by persistent sniping. Hearing that it had been decided to rush this post, Corporal Brown, on his own initiative, crept out along the shallow trench and made a dash towards the post. An enemy machine gun opened fire from another trench and forced him to take cover. Later he again dashed forward and reached his objective. With a Mills grenade in his hand he stood at the door of a dug-out and called on the occupants to surrender. One of the enemy rushed out, a scuffle ensued, and Corporal Brown knocked him down with his fist. Loud cries of “Kamerad” were then heard, and from the dug-out an officer and eleven other ranks appeared. This party Corporal Brown brought back as prisoners to our line, the enemy meanwhile from other positions bringing heavy machine-gun fire to bear on the party.