Peter Brown VC

b. 1837 Sweden. d. 10/09/1894 Cape Town, South Africa.

Peter Brown (1837-1894) was born in Sweden in 1837. Very little is known about his early life, or how he came to be part of the Cape Mounted Riflemen during the Basuto War of 1879. He was a Trooper in the Colonial Forces when an assault was made on Morosi’s Mountain on 8th April 1879, in an action which also saw Sergeant Robert Scott awarded the Victoria Cross.

Peter Brown VC

During the assault, Trooper Brown and his fellow men were ordered to take cover when the enemy opened fire. Whilst lying under cover, Brown heard the cries of two men, who were lying wounded in the open, desperately asking for water. Without hesitation, Brown rushed out with his water bottle to the two men and gave them water. The men had crept to a nearby rock to try and take shelter and Brown met them there. Whilst giving the first man water, Brown was shot through the right thigh and severely wounded. Immediately afterwards, he was hit again, the bullet shattering his right arm, which he never gained full use of after the action. Brown continued with his efforts until the water bottle was shot through and rendered useless.

Brown was recommended for, and duly awarded the VC on 12th April 1880. He was presented with his medal later that year at King William’s Town by Lord Wolseley. Brown was invalided out of the Cape Mounted Rifles due to his wounds, and very little is known about his life following this, except that he stayed in South Africa.

Brown died on 11th September 1894 at his home, 1 Primrose Street, Cape Town, and was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in Woltemade (Maitland) Cemetery. Sadly, the grave has since been reused under the name of Abrahamse. Brown’s VC is held by the Amathole Museum, King William’s Town, South Africa.

 

LOCATION OF MEDAL: AMATHOLE MUSEUM, KING WILLIAM’S TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA.

BURIAL PLACE: WOLTEMADE CEMETERY, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA. GRAVE 81594A

Acknowledgement:

Amathole Museum, South Africa – image of the Peter Brown VC Medal Group.