The John Chidzey Collection

Five: Lieutenant-Colonel W. S. Brown, Wiltshire Regiment, killed in action, battle of the Somme, 6 July 1916

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Transvaal, Wittebergen (Capt., 2/Wilts. Rgt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Maj., Wilts. Rgt.); 1914-15 Star (Lt. Col., Wilts. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col.) good very fine and better (5) £700-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The John Chidzey Collection.

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Walter Sidney Brown was born on 28 March 1871. He received his first commission in the 2nd Middlesex Militia on 4 September 1889. On 12 March 1892 he was posted from the Militia as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Wiltshire Regiment. Promoted to Lieutenant in January 1894 and Captain in February 1900. Taking part in the Boer War, he took part in the advance on Kimberley, including actions at Belmont, Enslin, Modder River and Magersfontein. Then in operations in the Orange River Colony 1900, including actions at Bethlehem, 6-7 July and Witterbergen, 1-29 July. Served in operations in Cape Colony south of the Orange River 1900, including actions at Colesburg, 25 January-12 February. Was present during operations in Transvaal, November 1900-January 1901 and April 1901-May 1902. Also in Cape Colony, January-April 1901. Was wounded at Hobkirk Farm, 12 February 1900, on which occasion he was helped to safety by Sergeant J. Munday, who was subsequently awarded the D.C.M. for his bravery. For his services he was twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901 and 29 July 1902) and received the brevet of Major in August 1902.

In 1908 he was D.A.A. & Q.M.G. of the Wessex Division, T.F. He was promoted to Major in the Wiltshire Regiment in January 1909 and Lieutenant-Colonel of the 2nd Battalion on 25 February 1915. On 30 March 1915 he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war. Lieuteant-Colonel Brown was killed in action during an enemy bombardment during the battle of the Somme, 6 July 1916. The bombardment was directed at a portion of the former German front line occupied by the Wiltshire Regiment HQ and Support Companies. A shell made a direct hit on the trench, killing Lieutenant-Colonel Brown outright and wounding two others. Brown was buried in the Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuile Wood, Somme. Aged 46 years at the time of his death, he was the son of David Brown, of Harrow-on-the-Hill and husband of Marion I. G. Trotman (formerly Brown). Sold with a quantity of copied research.

See Lot 1714 for the Boer War D.C.M. awarded to Sergeant J. Munday for helping this officer to safety at Hobkirk Farm.