More about David Brown

David attested with the Black Watch in 1902. He completed basic training at the Black Watch Depot, Queens Barracks, Perth and was posted to ‘C’ Company. He served with the Black Watch from 28.01.1902 till 11.12.1918. He was initially posted th the 2nd Battalion who were serving in India, whilst there he was stationed at various places within India, Oct 1902-Ambala, Oct 1904-Peshwar, Dec 1907- Sailkot, Nov-Dec 1911- Delhi, Jan 1912 Bareilly, Jan 1912- Calcutta & Jan 1914- Bareilly. During his time in India he received The Delhi Durbar Medal in 1911.

He was due for transfer to the Army Reserve on 27 Jan 1914 but it is not known if this occurred. When war broke out David’s Battalion the 2nd Black Watch was sent to France with the Meerut Division, which was part of the Bareilly Brigade in Oct 1914. The battation was engaged in action for the remainder of that year. In 1915 David fought with his battaion at Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge and Loos. He was wounded twice during this period, 05.11.1914 and 27.10.1915, in the latter instance he held the rank of Acting Sergeant.

At the end of 1915 the battalion were posted to Mesopotamia, leaving France 05.12.1915, arriving at A,arah on 5 Jan 1916. The principal actions that he was involved in during 1916 were Shaik Sa’ad 7 Jan, Wadi 14 Jan, first attack on Hanna 21 Jan and Sannalyat 6th & 21-22 April.

1917 saw him in action at the Battle of Kut 24 Feb, Persuit to and occupation of Baghdad 24 Feb- 11 Mar, action at Mushaidie 14 Mar, action at Istabulat 21-24 Apr, action at Tekrit 5 Nov. He was also reported wounded on 11 April 1917.

The battalion left Mesopotamia for Egypt arriving at Suez 13 Jan 1918, and then went on to Palestine. He fought at Arsuf 8 June, Sharon 19 Sept, advance through Palestine & Syria Sept-Oct. He was then demobbed at the end of the war 11.12.1918.

He immediately re-enlisted at Kantara, 12.12.1918 aged 33 years and 246 days.

New army numbers were introduced  in August 1920 and David was given the number 2744850. He was discharged as a Corporal 04.07.1922 and then re-enlisted 29 May 1923 for 4 years (possibly with the Royal Engineers) and again on 29 May 1927. He was finally discharged from the Army at Perth on 20 Dec 1930.