William Ormiston Brown

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit at enlistment:

18th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Date of death:

August 8th, 1917

Cemetery:

Reninghelst New Military Cemetery - Belgium - I.H.21.

Commemorated at:

St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Hamilton, Ontario

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

26 Canada Street, Hamilton, Ontario

Next of kin address:

26 Canada Street, Hamilton, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Merchandise Buyer

Religious denominations:

Presbyterian

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

Circumstances of service: Killed

Circumstances of Casualty: Killed (Accidentally) The Court of Enquiry convened to investigate the circumstances of the death of Lieutenant Brown were of the opinion that he came to his death by an accidental explosion of No. 1 Hand Grenade, Mark III, the use of which he was demonstrating to his Platoon.
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: La Clytte.

BX August 17, 1916

Lieutenant William Ormiston Brown Killed in Action – Well Known Here

The death of the late Lieutenant William Ormiston Brown has cast a deep gloom on his friends here in Brantford as well as on those in Hamilton and elsewhere. He was well known here to a host of friends and acquaintances, his father, Mr. A.S. Brown having been connected with the late firm of H.W. Brethour and Co., who afterwards sold out to Crompton & Co., Ltd. Little news has been received of his tragic death other than that he was accidentally killed while on duty. He left Canada about a year ago with the same contingent as his cousin the late Capt. Findlay Fraser, to whom he was closely attached, both as close relatives and soldiers.

They were closely identified to each other in England for about ten months previous to their departure to the front and both have been called upon to make the supreme sacrifice. He was a nephew to Mr. A.E. Brown, 250 Dalhousie Street; Mrs. J.E. Baker, 94 Nelson; Mrs. R.G., Fraser, 45 Charlotte Street; and Miss Lottie Wilhelmina Phair, 94 Nelson Street, and a son of Mr. and Mrs. A.S. Brown of the Right House Hamilton.

He leaves to mourn his loss besides his father and mother, two brothers and one sister, Mr. Harold Brown of Hamilton, Mr. Robert of Regina, and Miss Helen at home.