Obituaries Australia

Dr Walter Brown, one of the oldest and most respected residents of Parramatta, died at his residence on Thursday afternoon after a protracted illness. The deceased gentleman was born September 5, 1821, at Brislington, Bristol, Somersetshire, England. In 1837 he was articled to a surgeon, and in 1840 went to Edinburgh University, where he qualified in 1843. He then came to Australia as a ship's surgeon and returning, took his M.D. degree in 1847, afterwards practising in Bristol for a few years. In 1857 he again returned to Australia to settle down, and in 1858 purchased the practice in Parramatta of the late Dr Parsons, and married in the same year. He leaves a widow, four sons, and two daughters. Dr Brown occupied the position of medical officer of the Hospital for Insane, Parramatta, after the death of the late Dr Greenup, who was stabbed by a lunatic named Green. He was a prominent Anglican churchman, and in former years occupied the position of churchwarden at St James' Church. He was one of the founders of and the first captain of the Parramatta Volunteer Corps, and fired in the New South Wales v Victoria rifle match in 1871. He retired from the local volunteer company on the rank of Major. Some years ago, owing to impaired health, he retired from his profession, his practice being taken up by his son, Dr W. S. Brown. The deceased gentleman was greatly esteemed for his acts of charity. For about 30 years he occupied the position of honorary medical officer to the Parramatta District Hospital, in which institution he and his family took a deep interest. Dr Brown was a freemason of the Scotch Constitution.