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Private Frederick Brown
Description
TitlePrivate Frederick BrownSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionFrederick was born at Addington, Christchurch on 17th May 1874, second son of Charles Edwin and Emma Brown. He states that his last employer was J. Richardson at Swannanoa for whom he was working as a labourer. However his last address was Kirwee and his obituary notes that he was “well known in Swannanoa and Hororata as a shearer and farm hand”. He was 5ft 3in tall with a sallow complexion, grey eyes and black hair.
Frederick enlisted on 19th September 1916 and was assigned to the Canterbury Infantry Battalion, 21st Reinforcements, C Company. He was one of the older volunteers being aged 42 years and 4 months when he enlisted. After training he embarked on 19th January 1917 on board the Ulimaroa from Wellington. He disembarked at Devonport and marched into camp at Sling on 27th March. At Sling Camp he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion and taken on the strength at Codford on 2nd May before they left for France on 28th May. He was killed in action just over a month later on 5 July, aged 43.
At an enquiry into his death L. R. Lilley, reported that “at Ploegsteert, when we were holding the line I was behind Pvt Brown and a shell landed near him, instantly killing him.” F.F. Fergusson added that “he comes from Christchurch but enlisted from Hororata. We saw him killed instantly by a shell in his trenches when on duty and buried by stretcher bearers at the back of the trench.” His body was retrieved after the war and reburied in Motor Car Corner Cemetery, Ypres. In New Zealand Frederick is remembered on the Malvern County and South Malvern War Memorials.First NameFrederickLast NameBrownFamilySingleSecond son of Charles Edwin and Emma BrownDate of Birth17 May 1874Place of BirthAddington, ChristchurchDate of Death5 July 1917Place of DeathBelgiumCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death43
Frederick enlisted on 19th September 1916 and was assigned to the Canterbury Infantry Battalion, 21st Reinforcements, C Company. He was one of the older volunteers being aged 42 years and 4 months when he enlisted. After training he embarked on 19th January 1917 on board the Ulimaroa from Wellington. He disembarked at Devonport and marched into camp at Sling on 27th March. At Sling Camp he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion and taken on the strength at Codford on 2nd May before they left for France on 28th May. He was killed in action just over a month later on 5 July, aged 43.
At an enquiry into his death L. R. Lilley, reported that “at Ploegsteert, when we were holding the line I was behind Pvt Brown and a shell landed near him, instantly killing him.” F.F. Fergusson added that “he comes from Christchurch but enlisted from Hororata. We saw him killed instantly by a shell in his trenches when on duty and buried by stretcher bearers at the back of the trench.” His body was retrieved after the war and reburied in Motor Car Corner Cemetery, Ypres. In New Zealand Frederick is remembered on the Malvern County and South Malvern War Memorials.First NameFrederickLast NameBrownFamilySingleSecond son of Charles Edwin and Emma BrownDate of Birth17 May 1874Place of BirthAddington, ChristchurchDate of Death5 July 1917Place of DeathBelgiumCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death43
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageMalvern War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryMotor Car Corner CemeteryMalvern County War Memorial South Malvern War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingLabourerRegiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry BattalionEnlistment Details19th September 1916Service Number33687Embarkation19th January 1917Place of EmbarkationWellingtonTransportUlimaroaReinforcement21st ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. SeatonTaken FromPhoto taken from Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph. Please refer to this site for the photo’s copyright license
Private Frederick Brown. Selwyn Stories, accessed 04/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/327