Circumstances of Casualty: Died of Bronchopneumonia at No. 7 Casualty Clearing Station.

Woodstock, Ingersoll Daily Sentinel Review – August 8, 1918

Brown, William Alexander (67559)

Sergt. W.A. Brown Died in France – Was First Recruit From Plattsville for 168th Battalion and One of Guard of Honor to King George – Death Due to Pneumonia After Nine Months in France

Word was received in the city today by Constable Wm. Jerry of the death of Sergt. W.A. Brown, of Plattsville, at No. 7 Casualty Clearing Station, France on July 22nd.  Death was the result of an acute attack of bronchial pneumonia. Sergt. Brown was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Brown, of Plattsville.  He enlisted and went overseas with the 168th Battalion, being the first recruit from the village of Plattsville.  While in England he had the honor of being the first selection for the guard of honor for King George at Westminster Abbey on July 1st, 1917.

He belonged to the specialist section of the 21st Canadian Battalion and was engaged in observation work for a considerable time previous to his illness.  At the time of his death he had been in France for a period of nine months.

In private life the late Sergt. Brown was a commercial traveller, with headquarters in Plattsville.  He was well and favourably known throughout a great part of Ontario in addition to Oxford County, and a host of friends and relatives will learn with the deepest regret of his death in France.

As a soldier Sergt. Brown won early recognition and was a general favorite with officers and men alike.