Corporal Hugh Phillip Brown Mid

CORPORAL HUGH PHILLIP BROWN MID

3304 – Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company

Toronto, New South Wales was the birthplace of Hugh Phillip Brown on January 10, 1891 the son of Hugh and Frances Margaret Brown which was registered at Wallsend, NSW. He married in Perth, Western Australia on October 1, 1910 to Eveline Amelia Clegg.

At twenty-seven years of age he applied to enlist for active service abroad in Perth, W.A. on June 11, 1916 and passed the preliminary medical examination. Personal particulars from the Application show his address as 92 East Street, East Fremantle and the Engine Driver stood 177cms (5ft 9¼ins) tall with a chest expansion of 92-98cms (36-38½ins). Declared fit for active service his application was accepted by the recruiting officer the next day.

Attestation Forms were completed and describe him further as weighing 69kgs (152lbs) with a fresh complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. A distinctive mark was an appendectomy scar on his right groin. Church of England was his religious faith. Next-of-kin was his wife Mrs Eveline Amelia Brown of 92 East Street, East Fremantle, W.A. He was sworn the same day.

Basic training was as follows:

17th Depot Battalion 10/7/16 to 31/7/16

8th Reinforcement 51st Battalion 1/8/16 to 4/9/16

7th Reinforcement 51st Battalion 4/9/16

No. 7 N.C.O. School Corporal 8/9/16 to 16/10/16

22nd Depot Battalion 16/10/16 to 21/10/16

24th Reinforcements 16th Battalion 16/11/16 to 15/12/16

He was appointed for the ‘Voyage Only’ to be Sergeant and embarked with the 8th Reinforcement to the 5th Pioneer Battalion on the transport HMAT A35 Berrima on December 23, 1916 from Fremantle. The ship docked in Devonport, England on February 16, 1917. Two days later he reverted to the rank of Private when they marched into the Pioneer Training Battalion. The next day was to be E.D.P (Extra Duty Pay) Sergeant at the Training Battalion. On March 13, 1917 he reverted to E.D.P. Corporal at Larkhill camp.

On June 11, 1917 marched out to the Field Engineers’ camp at Fovant and was appointed acting-sergeant at Brightlingsea the next day. His rank reverted to E.D.P. Corporal on July 10.

The Reinforcement proceeded overseas via Southampton to France arriving at the Aust General Base Depot in Rouelles on September 11, 1917. A month later on October 9 he was sent to the Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company and attached pending absorption where his rank reverted to Sapper.

Blue Chevrons were issued to wear on his uniform for twelve months service abroad. Each blue Service Chevron denoted one year’s service from 1 January 1915. A red Chevron denoted service before 31 December 1914.

He was taken to the 1/2 West Riding Field Ambulance on February 18, 1918 for treatment for contusion to his back and legs due to being accidentally injured. On February 23 was transferred to the 1st N.Z.F.A. and rejoined his unit on February 28.

Proceeded on Leave on March 6 and rejoined his unit on March 20, 1918. He was appointed Lance Corporal on March 23 and was taken on strength with the company on May 5, 1918.

On August 1, 1918 he was appointed to 2nd Corporal to complete establishment of the company. Two days later was promoted to Corporal also to complete establishment.

After Armistice was declared leave he was granted leave to Paris on November 18, 1918 and he returned to duty on November 27. Further leave to England was granted and left on February 14, 1919 and he was due to return on March 1, 1919.

His records show he was granted leave from February 28, 1919 for Non-Military Employment (NME) until July 14 with pay and subsistence fees of £2 2s 0d to attend Williams & Robertson Ltd (believed to be Willans & Robinson) in Rugby to gain further experience in Engineering. He was taken on strength with A.I.F. Headquarters in London at commencement of his employment. An extension of leave from July 15 to September 14 was granted to continue with his NME.

On expiration of leave he returned to Headquarters, London and was returned to the A.E.M.M.B.C. on September 15, 1919 for administration purposes.

Corporal Brown embarked for Australia on the H.T. Benalla on October 8, 1919 with his wife and child. Base Records advised his next-of-kin on October 21, 1919 that he was on his way home. The ship arrived in Fremantle, W.A. (5th M.D.) on November 18, 1919.

On December 3, 1919 Mrs E.A. Brown of 92 East Street, East Fremantle was advised with a copy of the extract from the Eighth Supplement No. 31448 to the London Gazette dated July 11, 1919, relating to conspicuous services rendered by her husband. The despatch from Sir D. Haig of March 16, 1919 submitted his name deserving of special mention. This also was promulgated in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 124 on October 30, 1919.

Military Discharge was issued in Perth, W.A. (5th M.D.) on January 4, 1920 on termination of his period of enlistment, ending his association with the AEMMBC.

The AEMMBC, with a strength of little more than 300 men, had been employed along the entire Western Front providing lighting and ventilation to dugouts and boring for water supplies where needed. They worked with all 5 Armies of the British Expeditionary Force.

For service for his country Corporal 3304 Hugh Philip Brown, Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company was issued with the British War Medal (17103) and the Victory Medal (16605). He was also sent on October 11, 1920 two Oak Leaves (large and small emblems) for Mentioned in Despatches and a Certificate for the same on June 24, 1921. Receipted delivery was dated October 29, 1920 for the Oak Leaf emblem.

In 1925 their residence was 26 Denis Street, Subiaco with his occupation of clerk and recorded in 1931 as Swan Street, Tuart Hill working as a block-mounter.

A snippet of information appears as a competition winner published in:

Work continued as a block-mounter while their residence was listed as 10 Grosvenor Road in 1936 and 10 Highland Street, North Perth in 1943.

During the Second World War Hugh enlisted with the Australian Army on April 20, 1942 at Claremont, W.A. giving his birthdate as 10/1/1893. Next-of-kin was his wife Eveline Brown of North Perth. Regimental number was W78101 but no further details of his posting or discharge have been listed.

By 1949 he was a technician and home was recorded at 190 Nicholson Road, Subiaco.

In January 1939 he attended the funeral of Walter James Court, representing the Lathom Lodge and the AEMMBC.

A Statement of Service was issued from Base Records on October 16, 1953 to the Repatriation Commission in Perth, W.A.

Retirement was to “Peppermint Lane” Dunsborough, W.A. listed from 1958 to 1968.

Reunions

Past members of the Australian Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company and Tunnelling Companies gathered on or about Anzac Day for a reunion luncheon. We have had access to some of their records, which were very well kept and are quite detailed.

Hugh is mentioned in their 1968 mailing list, a letter addressed to O’Brien Road, Gidgegannup, WA being returned marked ‘Unknown’.

Hugh Phillip Brown passed away on May 31, 1970 at Mt Lawley, Perth, W.A. aged 80 years. His ashes were taken by the Funeral Director at Karrakatta Cemetery.

His wife Eveline died on April 23, 1979 at Victoria Park, W.A. aged 90 years. Her ashes were taken by the Funeral Director at Karrakatta Cemetery.

© Donna Baldey 2012 / 2015

www.tunnellers.net

with the assistance of Cathy Brown.