Edmond Hepple Brown MID
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 20 Mar 1914 |
| Place of Birth | Subiaco, Western Australia |
| Death | 27 May 1984, aged 70 |
| Place of Death | Bunbury, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 25 years, 6 months |
| Description | 6'0" (1.83m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; light brown hair ; marks on both shoulders and below right knee |
| Occupation | Orchardist |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | River road, Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr William Hepple Brown |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX1188 |
| Date of Enlistment | 7 Nov 1939 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit/Formation | 6th Australian Infantry Division Signals Company |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 20 Apr 1940 ‒ 18 May 1940 |
| Transport Details | HMT Y3 Nevasa Fremantle to Kantara |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 12 Mar 1942 ‒ 27 Mar 1942 |
| Transport Details | unknown Egypt to Colombo |
| Journey Dates | 11 Jul 1942 ‒ 4 Aug 1942 |
| Transport Details | SS Athlone Castle Colombo to Fremantle |
| 2nd Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 21 Sep 1942 ‒ 29 Sep 1942 |
| Transport Details | unknown Brisbane to New Guinea |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 7 Feb 1943 ‒ 9 Feb 1943 |
| Transport Details | SS Canberra Port Moresby to Cairns |
| 3rd Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 9 Dec 1944 ‒ 15 Dec 1944 |
| Transport Details | SS Van Heutsz Cairns to Aitape, New Guinea |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 13 May 1945 ‒ 13 May 1945 |
| Transport Details | plane Nadzab, New Guinea to Townsville |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Mentioned in Despatches 1939-45 Star Africa Star Pacific Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
28 Nov 1932 - 17 Feb 1933 & 28 Nov 1933 - 22 Dec 1933 A University Student employed by the WAGR Mechanical Division at the Midland Junction workshops during vacations. In 1936 he was living in River road, Kelmscott working as an orchardist.
War Service
Enlisted at Subiaco on 7 Nov 1939 and on the next day he was taken on strength by the 2/3rd Field Company and on 8 Dec 1939 he entrained in Northam for Sydney where he joined his unit at Ingleburn ten days later. Edmond was granted pre-embarkation leave in WA from 16 - 31 Mar 1940. On 20 Apr 1940 he embarked on [[HMT Y3 Nevasa] for Kantara in Egypt, disembarking there on 18 May 1940.
On 9 Jul 1940 Edmond was transferred to the 6th Australian Infantry Division Signals Company which on 22 Aug 1940 assessed him as a Trade Group II Linesman. Edmond undertook training at the 1st Australian Corps School of Signals in Palestine from 21 Mar - 12 Apr 1941 before returning to his unit on 8 May 1941. On 1 Jul 1941 Edmond was appointed Lance Corporal, and he attended another Signals training course from 11 Jul until 1 Aug 1941. On 3 Aug 1941 Edmond was promoted Acting Corporal, with that rank confirmed on 14 Feb 1942.
On 12 Mar 1942 Edmond embarked for Ceylon (Sri Lanka), disembarking there on 27 Mar 1942. He was subsequently embarked aboard SS Athlone Castle for Melbourne on 11 Jul 1942, disembarking in Melbourne on 4 Aug 1942. On 15 Sep 1942 Edmond was promoted Acting Sergeant before embarking in Brisbane on 21 Sep 1942 for Port Moresby, disembarking there on 29 Sep 1942. Soon after, on 2 Oct 1942, Edmond was promoted to Lieutenant.
Temporary Captain 14 Apr 1944 Captain 28 Apr 1944 Course a School of Mechanisation 8 - 30 Jun 1944, and also 25 Sep - 18 Nov 1944 - Officers Refresher Course dischared 14 Sep 1945
11 Dec 1943 married Leila Betty Wellman (1918 - 2000)
Award Comment
Mention in Despatches for distinguished services in the South-West Pacific area.[1][2]
Demobilised on 28 Sep 1945
Post War
Children: Barbara Annette Brown (1946 - 1958); plus 2 sons and another daughter
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 River road, Kelmscott, orchardist; 1958 - 1963 Guppy street, Pemberton, storekeeper; 1977-80 Short street, Eaton, retired