Volume 21 www.legionnl.com 7 Dave was born in Tilton, on September 3, 1892. He enlisted with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment on March 18, 1915 and was sent to war. Dave was one of the sixty-seven men who survived the Battle of the Somme (in the attempt to capture the village of Beaumont Hamel) on July 1, 1916 without being wounded and was decorated for bravery on the battlefield. The records state that Dave Brown fought with distinction in every battle in which the Newfoundland Regiment was involved. He was one of the stretcher bearers who was responsible for recovering the wounded after the guns had ceased, and was directly responsible for saving the lives of Solomon Gosse and Duncan Collins of Spaniard’s Bay who had already crawled into fox holes to die. After three months rest, Brown’s regiment fought in other more important battles before the war ended. Dave was discharged on March 26, 1919. He received four medals, now owned by his son Wallace, including the Military Medal for being one of sixty-five men who survived without being wounded, Great War for Civilization 1914-1919, War Medal for 1914-1918, the Gallantry Award given on October 12, 1916. Dave Brown passed away on July 2, 1939, at the age of forty-seven. He was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 9 in Spaniard’s Bay. The following is the citation accompanying his Military Medal. “London Gazette, 6th January, 1917. Action Date, 12th October, 1916 – Gueudecourt. For bravery in the field. On October 12th near Gueudecourt in an attack on the German trenches he showed great gallantry. He was one of the first to reach the hostile trench, bayonetted three of the enemy, bombed many dugouts, and during a counter attack he shot seven of the enemy and generally displayed a fine fighting spirit. BROWN, David “Dave” Service # 1319
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