Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

D Company, 1st Battalion, The Regina Rifle Regiment, 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
Major Brown landed in Normandy on 6 June 1944 with the Regina Rifle Regiment and on 8 June 1944 was promoted to Major and took command of "D" Company. In the capacity of company commander he participated in every action of the regiment with the exception of two short periods when he was evacuated due to wounds. In all the time Major Brown commanded "D" Company it never failed to take an objective and never retired from any position although several times sub-units under his command have been overrun and on one occasion the entire company was cut off for eight hours. In one period of ten days between 3 April and 13 April 1945, Major Brown led his company in no less than nine separate attacks, each in the face of heavy opposition and each resulted in many enemy dead. In these attacks his company accounted for a total of some 300 prisoners. On the night of 29-30 April 1945 he was in command of the battalion on the exploitation of the Leer bridgehead, and under his brilliant direction the battalion accounted for over 200 prisoners as well as many enemy dead. Throughout the entire period of his service Major Brown has displayed very great valour and extreme devotion to duty, and a constant cheerfulness under the most adverse conditions. The magnificent record of his company is a tribute to his powers of leadership.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Commanding Officer, D Company, 1st Battalion, The Regina Rifle Regiment, 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Supplement to the London Gazette, 9 August, 1945.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

D Company, 1st Battalion, The Regina Rifle Regiment, 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
Major Donald Gordon Brown was in command of "D" Company, 1st Battalion The Regina Rifles Regiment, in the push out from Nijmegen to Zyfflich. His Company was water-borne during the attack and although coming under enemy fire this officer led his men with such efficiency and daring that the enemy positions in and around his objective were completely overrun with a few casualties to themselves, and the result that a large number of prisoners were taken and the Company objective captured.
Again at Wehl, Holland, this officer with his Company was ordered to take and seize the railroad crossing before the town itself. Although at night and coming under direct enemy machine gun and mortar fire he personally led his men to their objective. At this point another company from the Battalion passed through "D" Company but was held up by very strong opposition in the town itself which resulted in bitter street fighting. Major Brown again was ordered to push forward and secure the remainder of the town. This he succeeded in doing after four hours of house to house battling. Due to this officer's coolness under fire and his qualities of leadership the town fell soon after.
At Deventer, which was a strong point of the enemy, 1st Battalion The Regina Rifle Regiment were ordered to do a right flanking movement, cutting off the town. Again Major Brown, supported by tanks and flame throwers led his Company against enemy paratroops and succeeded in very quickly seizing his objective leading to a danger of the enemy being cut off from behind. This led to their withdrawal from Deventer.
Major Brown, through his exploitation of success succeeded in helping to speed up the final collapse of the enemy wherever this Battalion was fighting. His devotion to duty and sense of responsibility have been outstanding at all times.

The Canada Gazette, 22 December, 1945.