BROWNE, Frederick Robert

BROWNE, Frederick Robert – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 574
RANK : Lance Corporal
UNIT : 15th Battalion
ENLISTMENT DATE : 23/09/1914
AGE : 21
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Brisbane, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Stanthorpe, Queensland
RELIGION : Roman Catholic
OCCUPATION : Labourer
DATE OF DEATH : 22/05/1966
PLACE OF BURIAL : Mt Gravatt and Plaque Queensland Garden of Remembrance

MEMORIALS : Dalveen WWI Honour Boards, Stanthorpe Soldiers Memorial Rolls of Honor

View Veteran’s Service File : BROWNE, Frederick Robert

NOTES :

Robert Frederick Browne was born in Stanthorpe and was one of ten children born to Michael Patrick and Margaret Matilda Browne of Mt Janet, Dalveen. His schooling was undertaken at the Mt Janet Provisional School near Dalveen which had been opened on January 26, 1898. The first school teacher, Jane McDonald boarded with the Browne family.

Enlistment papers have his name listed as Robert Frederick Browne and also Frederick Robert Browne, and this may be because he was known to everyone as Freddie. He departed Australia aboard the Ceramic on the December 22, 1914.

Freddie was wounded in action on three occasions. The first was a gunshot wound to the right shoulder and chest in August 1915 at Gallipoli, later he was wounded again but remained on duty and on the third occasion he was gassed in August 1918 and had to be sent from France to England for treatment.

Freddie and three of his brothers enlisted in the First World War. His brothers were Thomas McDonald (Mackie) Browne 299 KIA, Stewart Alexander Browne 460 and William Michael (Bill) Browne 3256.

The Darling Downs Gazette published an article in its August 15, 1917 edition, stating: The Browne family of Mount Janet, Dalveen, hold an enviable record in respect of war service. Four sons of the family enlisted. One made the supreme sacrifice on the Egyptian Front towards Palestine; one is serving in France; one is training in England, and the fourth, Stuart Alex Browne, recently returned amongst the sick and wounded.

Robert Frederick Browne was discharged medically unfit and returned to Australia. He married Irene Isabel Topfer and lived in Stanthorpe.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.