Private John Sidney ’Sid’ Brown

1. Private, 18th Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1916-04-28 to 1916-09-15
2. Private (Army). 1916-04-09 to 1916-07-06
3. Private (Army). 1916-07-06 to 1916-04-28

Son of Jacob Daniel Brown (1863-1951) and Anna Christina Brown (nee Smith, 1863-1955); older brother of Jacob Lavern Brown (Service No. 1234733); husband of Henrietta Maria 'Hattie' Brown (nee Williams) married May 10, 1911

John S Brown married Henrietta M Williams on 10 May 1911 at Watford, Lambton County, Ontario. John S Brown was a married 28 year old Barber when he joined the 70th Overseas Battalion in London Ontario on 9 April 1916. John had a year of Militia Service with the 27th Lambton Regiment (St Clair Borderers) with Headquarters in Sarnia Ontario. The 70th Battalion was authorized on 15 Aug 1915 and its Headquarters were in London Ontario where John joined in 1916. The 70th recruited from Essex, Kent, Lambton, and Middlesex counties. Pte Brown sailed for England on 5 My 1916 on the SS Lapland and his 70th Battalion was absorbed by the 39th Battalion on 6 July 1916. On 29 July 1916 Pte Brown was transferred to the 18th Battalion (Western Ontario) in the field. The 18th Battalion headquartered in London Ontario was authorized on 7 Nov 1914 and had been in France since 15 Sept 1915. 28 year old Pte John Sidney Brown was killed in Action 15 Sept 1916 as part of the 18th Battalion (now a Regiment), 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division in France during the Battle of Courcelette (called The 1 July to 18 Nov 1916 Battle of the Somme) as described below.

John Sidney Brown (Sid) was killed at the Battle of Courcelette when the 18 Bn attacked Sugar trench just out side the ruined town. 124733 Jacob Lavern (Vern) Brown, Sid's brother was in the same attack and they went over at the same time, Vern survived the war. There is a short letter to their mother published in the Watford Guide- Advocate of October 13, 1916. Sid was survived by his wife Henrietta and a son, (Francis Allan Brown) and an older daughter named Bernice Natalie Brown.

Sid's medals were lost since they were signed for by his wife in 1921. Sid's name is seen on the Vimy Memoral since no trace of him was ever found. 124733 Jacob Lavern (Vern) Brown, his brother searched for him at aid stations and around the battlefield hoping to find him alive but nothing was ever found of him after the morning of the 15 Sept, 1916. He was first listed as missing, then listed as killed in action a short time later. Official records list him KIA.