Donald Forrester Brown
Donald Forrester Brown, VC (23 February 1890 – 1 October 1916) was a New Zealand recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest award for valour "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Donald Forrester Brown | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 February 1890 Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Died | 1 October 1916 (aged 26) † near Eaucourt L'Abbaye, France |
| Buried | Warlencourt British Cemetery, France |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Service/ | New Zealand Military Forces |
| Years of service | 1915–1916 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Service number | No. 8/3504 |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Born in Dunedin, Brown was a farmer when the First World War began in 1914. In late 1915, he volunteered for service abroad with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, the Otago Infantry Regiment. He saw action on the Western Front, and was awarded the VC for his actions during the Battle of Flers–Courcelette in September 1916. As he was killed several days later during the Battle of Le Transloy, the award was made posthumously. His VC was the second to be awarded to a soldier serving with the NZEF during the war and was the first earned in an action on the Western Front.