In Memory Of

BROWN, SYLVESTER SAMUEL

Service Details
Age:
27
Date of Birth:
1891-03-03
Rank:
Lieutenant
Unit:
9th Bn.
Regiment:
London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles)
Date of Death:
1918-04-25
Cause of Death:
Killed in action
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
Panel 87 and 88.
Cemetery:
POZIERES MEMORIAL
Localitly:
Somme
Country:
France
Additional Information
Decorations:
M C and 2 bars
Citations:
MC LG Sup 23 April 1918 - "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty under fire when in command of a section of machine guns. He handled his guns boldly and took command of a number of men of another unit who had lost their officers and helped to reorganise them for defence." 1st Bar LG Sup 26 July 1918 - "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in keeping his guns in action for several hours, in spite of intense shell and machine-gun fire. He was untiring in his devotion to duty, and missed no targets that offered on his front and flanks. The action of his section greatly heartened the infantry and harassed the enemy, who made no headway" 2nd Bar LG Sup 16 Sept 1918 - "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer, who was acting as second in command of a company, got together a bombing party and crept forward to recapture some machine guns we had been obliged to abandon the previous night during a strong surprise attack by the enemy. On reaching the enemy forward posts they came under their machine-gun and snipers' fire, but pushing forward with great determination he led his men on till they reached the positions which had been previously abandoned, having gone to a distance of about 600 yards beyond the enemy's outpost line. They brought back the guns and wounded. The cool and fearless manner in which Lt. Brown led his men under heavy fire was one of the chief factors in the complete success of the enterprise."
Son of Mr. Matthew and Harriet Brown, of Greenwood Park, near Durban. ref. South African Roll of Honour 1914-1918