Brown, Lieutenant William Gordon

Service Highlights

Born June 30, 1896 in Motherwell, Ontario.
Son of William Brown and Nettie Elizabeth Brown of Motherwell.
Educated at Motherwell Public School and St. Marys Collegiate Institute.
Studied Applied Science at the University of Toronto (1914–1917) and participated in the C.O.T.C.
Joined the Royal Flying Corps as a cadet in August 1917.
Received his commission in December 1917 and went overseas soon after.
Rank: Second-Lieutenant
Served with No. 19 Squadron on the Arras front in France.
Killed in action May 7, 1918 while flying operations over the Western Front.
Buried at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Commemorated by family through the St. Marys Legion Veterans Banner Program.

A Life and Service Remembered

William Gordon Brown grew up in the rural community of Motherwell, just outside St. Marys, where he spent most of his early life. A strong student, he attended Motherwell Public School before continuing his studies at St. Marys Collegiate Institute.

He later enrolled at the University of Toronto in the School of Applied Science. While studying engineering he also took part in the Canadian Officers’ Training Corps, reflecting the sense of duty felt by many young Canadians during the First World War.

In August 1917 Brown joined the Royal Flying Corps as a cadet. After completing his flight training he received his commission and travelled overseas to England before being posted to France in April 1918.

Only weeks after arriving at the front, flying in his Sopwith 5F.1 Dolphin was a British fighter (tail number C3841) while returning from patrol with No. 19 Squadron, Brown’s aircraft was seen to fall. Whether the loss was due to enemy fire or an accident was reported differently and his service records have not been located to confirm for sure. Reports say his death was reported as instantaneous.

Lieutenant Brown was twenty one years old. His loss was deeply felt by his family and the community that had watched him grow from a local student into a young officer serving overseas.