"Chitter" George Francis BROWN
Born 1888 in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia [15] [30]
Son of James Andrew BROWN and Margaret LYNCH [15]
Shifted with his parents from Victoria to Western Australia in about 1900 and grew up on the WA Goldfields [P225]
Served for three years with the Australian Field Artillery (A.F.A.) and the Australian Garrison Artillery (A.G.A.) [30]
Served with the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery (R.A.G.A.) from 1909 until mid-1915 [30]
Played league football for the East Fremantle, South Fremantle, Perth and Cottesloe football clubs [120: 9-Jan-1930]
He was well known in East Fremantle as he was one of their best footballers, and knew all important people including the Mayor [P324]
In 1915 was a Tinsmith of the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery Barracks in Fremantle, Western Australia [30]
Enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Fremantle 1 June 1915 [30: item 1796666]
Upon enlistment he was six feet tall, weighed 196 pounds, had grey eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion [30]
Gave his father as his next of kin, his father's address at the time being the Edna May Gold Mine in Westonia WA [30]
He was appointed to the Siege Artillery Brigade of the Australian Imperial Force in Melbourne on 10 June 1915 [30]
Embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia for active service abroad on H.M.A.T A67 Orsova on 17 July 1915 [18]
Bombardier 196 in the Australian Imperial Force's 36th Heavy Artillery Group in France during the First World War [30]
Promoted to Corporal on 16 December 1916, to T/Sergeant on 21 September 1917, and Sergeant on 2 November 1917 [30]
He was admitted to hospital three times due to illness and briefly invalided to England on account of an ingrown toenail [30]
Wounded in Action in France on 27 September 1918, but not badly as he remained on duty [30]
While serving in France met up several times with his friend Edward J. DRABBLE, who was serving with the 16th Battalion [P324]
Left France for England on 6 February 1919, and on 20 May 1919 left England on the Sardinia on his return to Australia [30]
Discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 27 July 1919; received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal [30]
Married "Flo" Florence Mabel BINNS in Guildford on 19 June 1919 [P225]
Between his discharge from the Australian Imperial Force and shifting to Carnamah he worked for the Fremantle Tramways [P225]
In late 1927 had a boarding house built on 15 and 17 Caron Street in Carnamah at a cost of approximately £1000 [4: 14-Jan-1928] [51]
Believed to have purchased 13 and 15 Caron Street (Lots 29 & 30 of Victoria Location 1936) from Louis P. PARKER [27]
W. PERRY was the successful tendered to build the boarding house and construction had begun by November 1927 [39: 8-Nov-1927]
By early 1928 building of the hostel was completed and with his wife had shifted from Fremantle to Carnamah [4: 14-Jan-1928, 4-Feb-1928]
Proprietor of the "Carnamah Hostel" at 13-15 Caron Street in Carnamah in 1928 [4: 4-Feb-1928]
The hostel contained four rooms for boarders in addition to considerable space on a ten foot verandah around the building [4]
The building boasted electric lighting, modern conveniences and a large comfortable dining room with a piano [4: 14-Jan-1928]
A full week's board in 1928 cost 35/- while for shorter periods the charge was 2/6 for a bed and 2/- for meals [4: 14-Jan-1928]
Ran the "Carnamah Hostel" or "Hostel Carnamah" with his wife Florence from 1928 to 1936 [3] [4: 4-Feb-1928] [51]
He was initially listed as the "Proprietor" of the hostel, however it later changed to his wife Florence [4: 4-Feb-1928] [5: 8-Jul-1932]
The hostel was more locally known and referred to as "Brown's Boarding House" [P7]
A man who had stayed at the hostel described it as "a beautiful boarding house, everything was spotlessly clean" [P7]
Their establishment was known for being a real "home away from home" [5: 1-May-1936]
He and his wife ran the hostel / boarding house themselves with the help of a young woman [P7]
A number of single people resided at the hostel and travellers who stopped in Carnamah also regularly stayed there [P7]
Received increased business at the hostel annually over harvest when there were many wheat carters working in the district [P225]
They had a bore sunk and windmill erected at the back of the hostel which provided plenty of water for the hostel [P225]
Regularly grabbed his rifle and went shooting wild turkeys, which his wife then served up for dinner at their hostel [P324]
Rose at 6 a.m. each day to milk their cow, and also kept a number of chooks, which provided the hostel with milk and eggs [P324]
He looked after their yard and the outside of their hostel, while his wife oversaw the cleaning and did most of the cooking [P324]
Described as a big hefty man who was "a real card" and very popular [P324]
During his sojourn in Carnamah he was actively associated with every movement and sporting body in the district [5: 3-Apr-1936]
He was "of renowned football fame" and took a leading part in football, cricket and golf in Carnamah [5: 1-May-1936]
His son wrote "they were good parents who provided well for us during the depression years of those times" [P225]
He was among the locals who rushed to fight the fire at 14 Macpherson Street in Carnamah in the early hours of 1 August 1928 [31]
The fire destroyed Ernest C. ANDREWS' three-room house but they succeeded in saving Ernest's butcher's shop [31: 10-Aug-1928]
Playing Member of the Carnamah Football Club in 1928 and 1929 [4: 1-Sep-1928, 6-Jul-1929]
Represented the Carnamah Football Club at meetings of the North Midlands Football Association in 1930 [4: 3-May-1930]
Vice President of the Carnamah Football Club in 1931, and Chairman in 1934 and 1935 [4: 18-Apr-1931] [5: 20-Apr-1934, 19-Apr-1935]
The Carnamah Football Club's second winning of the Maley Cup was credited to his administration [5: 1-May-1936]
In 1933 he was listed as one of the stalwarts of the Carnamah Football Club who were responsible for its success [120: 5-Oct-1933]
Spent a fortnight in Perth in October 1928, during which time he saw his old team East Fremantle win the Premiership [4: 27-Oct-1928]
Committee Member of the Carnamah Race Club 1928-1934 [4: 31-Mar-1928] [5: 24-Nov-1933]
Member of the Carnamah sub-branch of the Returned Soldiers' League [52]
He was elected Secretary in March 1928 and was both Secretary and Treasurer in 1929 and 1930 [4: 12-Jul-1930] [9: 23-Mar-1930]
Served as President of the Carnamah sub-branch from 19 December 1931 to 20 April 1936 [52]
He was instrumental in the movement that resulted in the erection of the Carnamah War Memorial [5: 1-May-1936]
The Carnamah R.S.L. were said to have held the best R.S.L. socials due to "his tact and presiding influence" [5: 1-May-1936]
Member of the Carnamah Ratepayers & Citizens Association 1928-1934 [4: 10-Nov-1928, 13-Jan-1934] [5: 12-Jan-1934]
Member of the Carnamah Cricket Club 1928-1936 [4: 3-Nov-1928, 4-Oct-1930] [5: 11 & 18-Oct-1935]
Selection Committee Member of the Carnamah Cricket Club in 1928-29 [39: 16-Jan-1929]
On Sunday 28 October 1928 played in the first ever cricket match of the Coorow and Districts Cricket Association [4: 3-Nov-1928]
Member of the team of married men who defeated a team of single men at cricket in Carnamah in November 1928 [4: 24-Nov-1928]
In February 1929 was one of five Carnamah cricketers who travelled to Perth to participate in country week cricket [4: 16-Feb-1929]
Captain of the Carnamah Cricket Club in 1930-31 and 1931-32[4: 11-Oct-1930, 28-Mar-1931, 13-Feb-1932]
Attended the Annual General Meeting of the Carnamah Cricket Club on Monday evening 23 September 1935 [5: 4-Oct-1935]
With the creation of two teams within the Carnamah Cricket Club he was Captain of Carnamah Blues in 1935-36 [5: 11 & 18-Oct-1935]
Presided over a meeting on Thursday 10 October 1935 at which the Carnamah District Cricket Association was formed [5]
Foundation Chairman of the Carnamah District Cricket Association for the first half of 1935-36 [5: 18-Oct-1935, 31-Jan-1936]
Member of John BOWMAN's XI who played against the Carnamah Cricket Club at the opening of the 1935-36 season [5: 25-Oct-1935]
Represented the Carnamah District Cricket Association in a match against the North Midlands on 1 December 1935 [5: 22 & 29-Nov-1935]
Tied with Edgar J. CLARK and Roger F. W. CLARK for the member who took the most catches in 1935-36 [5: 3-Apr-1936]
Received the Cricket Association Shield on behalf of the Carnamah Blues at their Presentation Dance on 4 April 1936 [5: 10-Apr-1936]
Served on the Carnamah School Board in 1929 [4: 31-Aug-1929]
Master of Ceremonies at the Carnamah Race Club's Presentation Ball at the Carnamah Town Hall in March 1929 [4: 6-Apr-1929]
Judge of the dancing competitions at the Carnamah Football Club's Ball held in the Carnamah Hall on 18 May 1929 [4: 25-May-1929]
Attended the farewell to Mrs Ida CROSSING at the home of Mrs BADRICK in Carnamah on 10 September 1929 [4: 14-Sep-1929]
Attended the Ball in Carnamah in aid of the local Roman Catholic Church's building fund on Thursday 24 May 1930 [4: 31-May-1930]
Attended the Fancy Dress Ball held in Carnamah dressed as "Old Bill After the War" on Thursday 28 August 1930 [4: 6-Sep-1930]
Member of the Carnamah Traders Association in 1930 [4: 27-Sep-1930]
Attended the Carnamah Football Club's Smoke Social held in the lounge of the Carnamah Hotel on 9 September 1930 [4: 13-Sep-1930]
Member of the Carnamah Bridge Club in 1930 [4: 4-Oct-1930]
On Saturday 27 September 1930 hosted at his home a bridge evening between the Carnamah and Inering bridge clubs [4: 4-Oct-1930]
Played cards in Carnamah with a number of other men including Charles J. L. BREWER of the Carnamah Hotel [P324]
Attended the funeral of "Father of Carnamah" Donald MACPHERSON at the Winchester Cemetery on 14 August 1931 [4: 22-Aug-1931]
Committee Member of the Carnamah Athletic Club in 1932 [4: 6-Feb-1932]
In 1932 was the owner of a Dodge car with license plate CA-196 [4: 12-Nov-1932]
Pallbearer at the funeral of Carnamah Hotel licensee Charles Joseph Leslie BREWER on 9 July 1932 at the Winchester Cemetery [4]
Attended and Presider over the R.S.L. Smoke Social and Friends Night held in Carnamah on Saturday 27 August 1932 [5: 2-Sep-1932]
Financial Member of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society in 1932 [13]
Won 1st prize for an All Round Dairy Cow in the Cattle section of the Carnamah Agricultural Show in 1932 [5: 23-Sep-1932]
Presided over the R.S.L. Reunion Dinner held at the Carnamah Hall on the evening of Saturday 22 October 1932 [5: 4-Nov-1932]
The dinner was attended by 77 men who had served as a soldier or sailor in the Boer War and First World War [86: 29-Oct-1932]
Played for the Benedicts in a 'Benedicts verses Bachelors' cricket match in Carnamah on Sunday 18 December 1932 [5: 23-Dec-1932]
Member of the Carnamah Parents & Citizens Association - was Vice President in 1932 and 1935 [4: 9-Jul-1932] [5: 5-Jul-1935]
On 9 February 1933 attended the meeting in Carnamah at which Federal Member A. E. GREEN, M.H.R. was entertained [5: 17-Feb-1933]
Served on the School Board of the Carnamah State School in 1933 [5: 17-Mar-1933]
Conducted the Anzac Day Commemoration Service at the Carnamah War Memorial on 25 April 1933 [5: 5-May-1933]
Competitor in John KENNY's Billiard Tournaments conducted within Mackie's Buildings in Carnamah in 1933 [5: 2-Jun-1933, 28-Jul-1933]
Entrant in the Popular Sport Competition to raise funds to the North Midlands District Hospital in Three Springs in 1933 [5: 16-Jun-1933]
Through his involvement in the competition, as the Carnamah candidate, he helped raise £138/7/10 for the Hospital Appeal [5]
Attended the Valedictory Dinner tendered to Alexander B. GLOSTER at the Coorow Hotel on Monday 3 July 1933 [5: 7-Jul-1933]
Referee of the Boxing Tournament conducted in Carnamah by the Carnamah Athletic Club on 8 July 1933 [5: 7-Jul-1933]
Attended the Official Opening of the Carnamah Golf Course at Centenary Park in Carnamah on Sunday 23 July 1933 [5: 28-Jul-1933]
Committee Member 1933-1936 and Vice President in 1935 of the Carnamah Golf Club [4: 30-Jun-1934] [5: 5-May-1933, 8-Mar-1935, 27-Mar-1936]
He remarked that when he joined the Club he "knew about as much about golf as an Eskimo knows about sunstroke" [5: 1-May-1936]
The Carnamah Golf Club presented him with a golf bag on Sunday 18 August 1935 for the hard work he'd done for the Club [5]
He was also presented with the bag for his efforts in supervising the general improvements done to the Club's links [5: 23-Aug-1935]
In the Carnamah Golf Club's competitions he won the President James K. FORRESTER's Trophy in 1935 [5: 1-Nov-1935]
In 1935 donated trophies to the Carnamah Golf Club, which were won by Charles ROBERTSON and Percy TEEDE [5: 1-Nov-1935]
Attended the Carnamah Football Club's Monster Ball held at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 2 September 1933 [5: 8-Sep-1933]
He was among those from Carnamah who attended the R.S.L. Reunion Dinner held in Morawa on 28 October 1933 [5: 3-Nov-1933]
Member of the Carnamah Provisional Group of Toc H in 1934 [5: 12-Jan-1934]
Attended the Carnamah Golf Club's Opening Season Dance at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 21 April 1934 [5: 27-Apr-1934]
Presided over the Anzac Commemoration Service at the Carnamah War Memorial on Wednesday 25 April 1934 [5: 27-Apr-1934]
Presided over the Carnamah Football Club's Smoke Social held in Carnamah on Thursday 26 April 1934 [5: 4-May-1934]
Attended Emily H. TURNER's 21st Birthday at Karragee Farm in Carnamah on Tuesday 8 May 1934 [5: 11-May-1934]
On Saturday 12 May 1934 attended the Carnamah Football Club's Grand Opening Ball at the Carnamah Hall [5: 18-May-1934]
Attended the funeral of Mrs Christina B. D. FORRESTER of Carnamah at the Winchester Cemetery on 31 August 1934 [4: 8-Sep-1934]
Member of the Carnamah Rifle Club - Committee Member and Vice President in 1934 and Treasurer in 1935 [5: 24-Aug-1934, 12-Jul-1935]
Organiser of a Benefit Dance which raised £14 for the Carnamah Football Club's injured player Kevin CLARKE in 1934 [5: 5-Oct-1934]
Gave a recitation at the valedictory evening tendered to Neil M. GRAHAM in Carnamah on Thursday 6 December 1934 [5: 14-Dec-1934]
Attended Charlie OLSON's Surprise 70th Birthday at Lou JOHANSEN's farm on Thursday 17 January 1935 [5: 25-Jan-1935]
Presided over the Farewell Evening tendered to William E. CLARK in Carnamah on Wednesday 30 January 1935 [5: 1-Feb-1935]
One of the speakers at the Farewell Social to local chemist Douglas WALDBY on 17 January 1935 at the Carnamah Hall [5: 8-Feb-1935]
Competed in the Three Springs verses Carnamah billiard contest held in Three Springs on Thursday 14 February 1935 [5: 15-Feb-1935]
Spoke on behalf of the Cricket Club at the Farewell Social to Brian and Gerda STACY in Carnamah on 16 March 1935 [5: 22-Mar-1935]
He and George A. BRADSHAW organised the R.S.L. Sports Meeting held in Carnamah on Easter Monday in 1935 [5: 12-Apr-1935]
At the Sports Meeting, which was held at Centenary Park, he won the Gents' Golf Driving and the Old Buffers Race [5: 26-Apr-1935]
Spoke on behalf of the sporting clubs at the Farewell to Herbert E. HELLEWELL at the Carnamah Hall on 28 May 1935 [5: 31-May-1935]
Attended the Official Opening of the Coorow Golf Club's golf course in Coorow on Sunday 23 June 1935 [5: 28-Jun-1935]
Umpired the football match between the Carnamah and Three Springs state schools in Carnamah on 6 September 1935 [5: 13-Sep-1935]
Presented the Hunt Cup at the Three Springs Football Club's Victory Ball in Three Springs on Tuesday 24 September 1935 [5]
As he was called up it was remarked that it "was a pleasure to have Chitter present to perform such a duty" [5: 27-Sep-1935]
Gave a recitation at the Winchester Parents & Citizens Association's Social & Dance in Winchester on 26 September 1935 [5: 4-Oct-1935]
Umpired the boys football match between the Carnamah and Three Springs state schools on Friday 27 September 1935 [5: 4-Oct-1935]
Collected donations for the Carnamah Parents & Citizens Association's Inter-School Sports Shield in 1935 [5: 11-Oct-1935]
Attended the Fourth Annual North Midlands R.S.L. Reunion Dinner held in Three Springs on Saturday 19 October 1935 [5: 25-Oct-1935]
Helped organise the Carnamah Golf Club's Annual Dance for presentations at the Carnamah Hall on 24 October 1935 [5: 1-Nov-1935]
Sold 2 cows at £3/12/6 per head, 1 calf for £1/17/6, and 1 steer for £3/12/6 at the Midland Market on 30 October 1935 [5: 1-Nov-1935]
Pallbearer at the funeral of Miss "May" Mary L. LANG of Carnamah at the Winchester Cemetery on 26 November 1935 [5: 29-Nov-1935]
After injuring his eye he journeyed to Perth on Tuesday 3 December 1935 to seek medical attention [5: 6-Dec-1935]
Presided over the Valedictory Smoke Social for Royston C. DRAGE at Centenary Park, Carnamah on 10 December 1935 [5: 13-Dec-1935]
Returned to Perth in mid January 1936 for more attention for his eye, which was causing "inconvenience and suffering" [5: 17-Jan-1936]
After receiving medical attention to his eye he returned to Carnamah on Monday 20 January 1936 [5: 24-Jan-1936]
Pallbearer at the funeral of Carnamah agent William B. SHERIDAN at the Winchester Cemetery on 27 January 1936 [5: 31-Jan-1936]
Attended the Annual Meeting & Smoke Social of the Carnamah Sub-Branch of the R.S.L. on Wednesday 11 March 1936 [5: 20-Mar-1936]
He opened proceedings with the toast of "The King" and later in the evening was among those who tendered a vocal item [5]
Part of a deputation from the local R.S.L. that met with the Carnamah District Road Board on 18 March 1936 [5: 20-Mar-1936]
They unsuccessfully requested the Road Board pay Charles J. DALLIMORE for work he'd done on the Carnamah Hospital [5]
The Road Board wasn't legally obliged to pay for the work, but they felt that the Road Board had a moral obligation [5]
Attended the public meeting on the question of Saturday Afternoon Closing in Carnamah on Thursday 19 March 1936 [5: 27-Mar-1936]
The proposition was to replace the half-day holiday on Thursday afternoons with a half-day holiday on Saturday afternoons [5]
The driving force was some of the local sporting bodies, who wished to play their organised sport on Saturday instead of Sunday [5]
He said he was leaning against organised sport on Sundays, but didn't think it could be carried out satisfactorily on Saturdays [5]
Requested the Carnamah District Road Board install a screen at the main door of the Carnamah Hall in March 1936 [5: 20-Mar-1936]
Played for victorious Carnamah in their cricket match against "The Rest" in Coorow on Sunday 22 March 1936 [5: 27-Mar-1936]
The Carnamah Hotel considerably dropped their fee for boarders which resulted in them losing many of their hostel's boarders [P7]
They decided to sell their hostel for this reason and also because there were less travellers/representatives passing through town [P7]
Their upcoming departure was announced with regret on the front page of The North Midland Times on 3 April 1936 [5: 3-Apr-1936]
Unable to sell their "Carnamah Hostel" they obtained permission to split it into two five roomed houses with verandahs [5]
The Carnamah District Road Board granted him permission for the split at their meeting on 22 April 1936 [5: 3, 10 & 24-Apr-1936]
His wife initially retained ownership of the two houses, with rates being sent care of her sister-in-law in North Fremantle [3]
Due to the split the unimproved value of the houses for rating purposes was altered for the 1936-37 financial year [5: 18-Jul-1937]
During the 1942-43 financial year his wife sold the two houses to Jasper W. GREEN, who owned a farm in Carnamah [3]
He and his wife were the recipients of a Farewell Social & Dance at the Carnamah Hall on Thursday 23 April 1936 [5: 17-Apr-1936]
Their farewell consisted of dancing interspersed with musical, elocutionary and vocal items, supper, and speeches [5: 1-May-1936]
Regret was expressed at their departure, the loss of a good friend and his presence and services within local organisations [5]
Speeches were given on behalf of the citizens of Carnamah, the sporting bodies of Carnamah, the Carnamah R.S.L., [5]
and the North Midlands Football Association, after which he and his wife were presented with an inscribed mantle clock [5]
The inscription read "Presented to Mr and Mrs G. F. Brown by the residents of the Carnamah district, 23rd April, 1936" [5]
In responding to the speeches he said he would always have happy recollections of the people he had met in Carnamah [5]
He added that the people he'd met during his time in Carnamah were some of the finest people he'd ever met [5]
Thanked those who had supported their business and the Carnamah business people for the services they had rendered [5]
Dancing continued until 2 a.m. the next morning at which point their farewell was concluded with the singing of Auld Lang Syne [5]
He was farewelled by the Carnamah sub-branch of the R.S.L. at a social at his Carnamah Hostel on Friday evening 24 April 1936 [5]
After proceedings began he was asked to take the chair for the last time and "conduct things in his usual inimitable style" [5]
The evening was spent "in the good old R.S.L. style" with toasts, songs, monologues, stories, readings and musical items [5]
John BOWMAN, an adopted member, presented him with a gold-mounted fountain pen on behalf of the sub-branch [5: 1-May-1936]
Presided over Anzac Day commemoration service at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday morning 25 April 1936 [5: 1-May-1936]
At the conclusion of the service he and the other returned soldiers marched from the Hall to the Carnamah War Memorial [5]
After a prayer had been given he laid a wreath on the Carnamah War Memorial on behalf of the Australian Imperial Forces [5]
Attended the Carnamah Golf Club's largely attended Opening Day for the 1936 season on Sunday 26 April 1936 [5: 1-May-1936]
As the departing member he was given the honour of driving a ball from the first tee to mark the start of the 1936 season [5]
On leaving Carnamah initially shifted to 11 Marmion Street in the Perth suburb of East Fremantle and worked as a Plumber [50]
Temporary Manager of the State Hotel in Kwolyin and then Manager of the State Hotel in Wongan Hills in 1937 [5: 5-Feb-1937]
Vice President of the Carnamah Football Club in 1937 [5: 16-Apr-1937]
Manager of the State Hotel in Kwolyin in 1937 and 1938 [5: 17-Sep-1937, 20-May-1938]
Visited Carnamah to attend the Carnamah Agricultural Show at Centenary Park in Carnamah on 9 September 1937 [5: 17-Sep-1937]
Manager of the State Hotel in Dwellingup 1939-1946 [0: image 03818] [6]
Resided in retirement in East Fremantle [P225]
Father of Geoff, Stan and Cliff [P99]
Died 27 July 1950; ashes scattered over the Rose Garden at the Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth, Western Australia [2]
From The Irwin Index newspaper, Saturday 14 January 1928:
Hostel for Carnamah - A Home From Home
"The enterprise of Mr. G. F. Brown, better known to his many friends as Chitter, in choosing Carnamah as the centre of business activities, and erecting an up to date hostel therein is likely to be handsomely rewarded. Already a number of boarders are in residence, and from enquires received, he expects shortly to have the hostel full. In addition to the four rooms which are devoted solely to convenience of boarders, there is a larger 10 ft. verandah round the building, providing a considerable amount of sleeping out space. Electric light and all modern conveniences have been installed. There is a larger comfortable looking dining-room, and no effort has been spared to make the place a veritable home. To that end Mrs. Brown will supervise the culinary arrangements herself. A piano has been provided in the dining-room from which the capable fingers of the hostess will extract music for the enjoyment of her guests, and delightful musical evenings may be looked forward to by the fortunate boarders. Moderation is to be the key note with regard to tariff, the charge for a full week's board and residence being only 35/-. For shorter periods the charges will be beds, 2/6 , meals, 2/-. Incidentally, Mr. Brown informed a representative of the "Index" that his enterprise, which has resulted in approximately £1000 being invested in Carnamah, was the outcome of a visit paid by Mrs. Brown to Mrs. J. Lynch some time ago."
From The Western Mail newspaper, Thursday 9 January 1930:
Country Towns and Districts - Carnamah's Advancement
"When the unofficial history of the A.I.F. comes to be officially written Mr. G. F. (Chitter) Brown should be a valued contributor. He has the distinction of being one of the first Australians to fire a shot in the [First World] war, and was among the first Australian field troops to land in France. In 1914 Mr. Brown was an artilleryman at Fort Forrest, Fremantle, and a few days after the outbreak of war a ship flying an incorrect signal was reported. A shot fired by Mr. Brown was put across her bows. The vessel proceeded into the harbour and was found to be the H.M.S. Phantom, a survey boat. Mr. Brown had the pleasure of sending reminders to three other vessels. In those days the Emden was prowling the seas and the authorities were taking no chances. Mr. Brown arrived in France on March 1, 1916, with the 2nd Australian Siege Battery which fired its first shot at Vimy Ridge on March 17. On his retirement from the permanent forces after the war he had served for 14 years. In pre-war football seasons he was a prominent League player with the East Fremantle, South Fremantle, Perth and Cottesloe clubs. In Carnamah, as secretary of the sub-branch of the R.S.L. he is helping to perpetuate the wartime spirit of the diggers."
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'George Francis Brown' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 20 April 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/george-francis-brown [reference list] |
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