8 March	1915                      Blackboy Hill Training camp
24 April	1915                      Sergeant
9 June	1915                      Embarked from Fremantle
August	1915                      Embarked Egypt
10 Sept. – 12 Dec.	1915                      Gallipoli
12 February	1916                      Promoted 2nd Lieutenant
21 March	1916                      France
6/7 June	1916                      Trench Raid
30 June	1916                      Appointed Lieutenant
29 July – 27 Aug.	1916                      Pozieres (Sausage Valley)
4 August	1916                      Pozieres
6 September	1916                      Hospital
6 November	1916                      Returned to duty
16 November	1916                      Wounded in action
19 November	1916                      Promoted Captain
25 January	1917                      Rejoined Unit
February	1917                      Warlencourt
8 February	1917                      Awarded Military Cross
March	1917                      Attack on Malt Trench
17 Apri	1917                      Promoted T/Major
May	1917                      Battle of Bullecourt (Hindenburg Line)
June	1917                      Bapaume
2 July	1917                      Awarded Distinguished Service Order
1 August	1917                      Mentioned in Despatches
4 August	1917                      Major
August	1917                      Cassel
18 September	1917                      Ypres
28 September	1917                      Wounded in action
2 March	1918                      Rejoined Unit
7 April	1918                      Dernacourt
20 April	1918                      Ville Sur-Ancre
May	1918                      Morlancourt
27 June	1918                      Villers-Bretonneux
6 July	1918                      Senior Officers School
8 August	1918                      Battle of Amiens
29 August	1918                      Somme
29 Sept	1918                      Rejoined Unit
11 November	1918                      Armistice
5 April	1919                      Returned to Australia
30 July	1919                      Appointment terminated
WW2	1939 - 1946            Re-enlisted. See biographical details

 

 

Biographical Details:

Arnold Brown was born in Sydney on 22 July 1894, the twelfth child of James and Clara Brown.  After school at Sydney Grammar, Scots College and Bathurst Experimental Farm he sought a career in farming. This took him to Western Australia where he intended to purchase property.
In March 1915, at the age of 20, Arnold enlisted in the newly raised 28th Battalion at Blackboy Hill Training Camp. He was quickly appointed Sergeant and soon after the 28th withdrew from Gallipoli he was made 2nd Lieutenant.
As the Battalion’s Bomb Officer, Arnold led the Right Bombing Party during the Trench Raid. Following the raid he was appointed Lieutenant.
Over the next two and a half years of the war Arnold was wounded twice; the first time in November at Flers when he was shot in the neck while leading a bayonet charge. In September 1917, a week after returning from leave in London, he received gunshot wounds to his legs and an arm. Over 1917 Arnold was appointed Major, decorated three times and wounded.
Arnold was awarded the Military Cross in February, 1917. The recommendation from September 1916 reads:
Battalion Bomb Officer. This officer has taken a prominent part in every raid and attack carried out by this Battalion in FRANCE. His work during the operations in front of POZIERES from July 29th to August 31st 1916 was very fine. He showed great initiative and enterprise in patrolling and consolidating the front line. His reports of the situation were always prompt and intelligent.
In May, 1917 Arnold was recommended for the Distinguished Service Order which was awarded in July:
For conspicuous gallantry in action for the manner in which he organized and led the bombing attack in O.G.1 East of BULLECOURT on the 3rd May 1917, and for the wonderful example he set for to officers and men. He showed sound judgment and great determination in carrying out these attacks and was mainly instrumental in bringing about the success of the three attacks. He showed utter disregard for his personal safety and himself accounted for a number of the enemy with revolver and rifle. His fearless conduct cannot be too highly praised.           This recommendation is supported by men and officers alike.
After being promoted Major Arnold was, on occasions, temporary Commander of the 28th Battalion.  In July 1918 he attended a Senior Officers’ course at Aldershot and was recommended for command of a Battalion.
Arnold returned to Australia in May 1919 and was demobilized in July 1919.  In 1920 he married Freda Thompson with whom he had two daughters and two sons, one of whom was killed during World War 2.  He settled down to farming life in NSW and was active in the RSL and defence organisations.
In 1939 Arnold enlisted in the Citizens Military Force. By March 1941 he was Commanding Officer of the 2/1st Pioneer Battalion.  He served in North Africa and New Guinea and after the war was a member of the War Crimes Tribunal.
During the course of this war Arnold was again Mentioned In Despatches and awarded an Order of the British Empire.
Arnold Brown died in 1960 .
Lt Col Arnold Brown circa 1941
The following is a handwritten list of recommendations for the Military Cross following action at Pozieres in July/August 1916

Of these four recommendations only Brown was awarded the MC. McLean and Read received the Mention in Despatches.  It is interesting that Curran, who was overlooked here, had previously been recommended, and overlooked, for the MM, when he was as a Sergeant. As an officer Curran was twice recommended for the MC. He was only ever awarded a Mention in Despatches.