VC Citation:
London Gazette 14 June 1917, p.5866

For most conspicuous bravery and determination in attack when the company to which he belonged suffered very heavy casualties in officers and men from machine-gun fire. At great personal risk this NCO advanced with a comrade and succeeded in reaching a point thirty yards of the enemy guns. Four of the gun crew were killed and the gun captured. The advance of the company was continued until it was again held up by machine-gun fire. Again Sgt. Brown and his comrade, with great gallantry rushed the gun and killed the crew. After this second position had been won, the company came under very heavy shell fire, and the utter contempt for danger and coolness under fire of this NCO did much to keep up the spirit of his men. On subsequent occasion in attack, Sgt. Brown showed most conspicuous gallantry. He attacked single-handed a machine-gun which was holding up the attack, killed the gun crew and captured the gun. Later whilst sniping the retreating enemy, this very gallant soldier was killed.
Killed in action France 1 October 1916.
There is a cross honouring Sgt Brown among the 795 crosses making up a Field of Remembrance in Dunedin. The crosses are named for New Zealanders from the Otago Regiment and wider area who died in 1916. The crosses will be in place until Remembrance Day 11th November 2016.

Citation taken from Honours and Awards to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War 1914-1918 / Wayne McDonald (3rd edition Published by Richard Stowers)