Sergeant Charles Elliott Brown

Charles Elliott Brown
Service # F67753
Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps
June 1940 to July 1945

To my Mother, Diane in memory of our favorite man "Charlie Brown".

This is the story of my Grandfather or "Papa" as we know him, who volunteered for service in the war against Germany during the second World War.

My Grandfather, Charles Elliott Brown service number F67753. Joined the Army 25 June 1940 and began his military training in Camp Aldershot and Camp Debert, Nova Scotia. He was enlisted in Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps as a Medic.

Charlie, as he was known by friends and family, departed for England from Pier 21 on July 21, 1941 aboard the SS Queen Elizabeth, arriving in England July 31, 1941 and would not return to Canada until 1945.

My Mother, Diane was born in March 1941 and was only 4 months old when Papa left for Europe and she would be 4 years old when he returned.

During the early years of the War, Papa spent much of the time training in England, Scotland and Wales and working in military hospitals, he was becoming anxious to get to the front and see action.

On the evening of June 5th 1944 he set sail for Normandy, France to take part in the D-Day invasion. Because of problems with their landing craft, he wasn't able land on the beach until the following day, June 7th, this may have been bad luck or divine intervention, I like to think it was the later. He continued to serve on through Belgium, Holland and Germany where he served until VE day, then returned to England. He didn't talk much about the war, at least not about the more disturbing details.

On the lighter side, he did mention about one night when he and some of his buddies accepted the hospitality of a French Inn-keeper, they had more than a little to drink. The next day, not remembering too much of what happened the night before, they were informed by their platoon commander that they made their way back to camp through a mine field, again good luck or divine intervention?

He returned home aboard the SS Cameroonian, landing at Pier 21 on August 15, 1945. He was discharged from the Army September 21, 1945 with the rank of Sergeant.

For his service, Papa was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the France-Germany Star, the Defence Medal and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp.

My Grandfather passed away April 15, 2002 at the age of 96.

I am extremely proud of my Grandfather and the sacrifice he made so that we can have the freedom and quality of life that we now enjoy.

He is missed daily .....God Bless you Charlie Brown.