Marcus Brown (1895-1917)
Marcus Blake Norman Brown, a labourer, was the fourth child born to Mary Olive (nee Everett) and ‘Bunny’ Brown, and a great grandson of Woreternemerunnertatteyane and Thomas Beeton.
In 1916 he left his home on Cape Barren Island, and after a journey of several days arrived at the Claremont army camp to enlist in the First A.I.F. He was 20 years old.
Private Brown was allotted to Tasmania’s own 40th Battalion, and sailed on HMAT Port Melbourne. In May 1917 the Battalion was sent to Oosthove Farm in Belgium, to ready for battle on 7 June. While the battle of Messines was an important allied victory, the detonation was said to be the deadliest non-nuclear man-made explosion, with 10,000 lives lost. The battle claimed 317 casualties from the 40th Battalion alone. Among them was Private Marcus Brown.
Australians in the front line trenches, south of the Douve River near Messines. By an unknown Australian Official Photographer.