CSM never expected him to survive
"Hear All Sides" article from the Northern Echo by Jack Robinson
With reference to your report headed “Presumed dead – now 90” (about the birthday of Mr Ernest Brown, wounded in 1916) I was his Company Sergeant-Major and bandaged him when he was hit in the neck (not the head) just behind and below the ear, catching the main artery. He was taken to a dug-out with other wounded. About one hour later, the Captain and I patrolling the trench, found him sitting in the trench.
He was later taken to the first-aid post. No one thought he would come out of the dug-out alive because he had lost so much blood. i have never know anyone lose so much and live.
That happened on Septemeber 26, 1916, Sunday morning, at Lesbaufs, with the 14 Battalion DLI B Company. I next saw him at Trimdon in 1923 and had tea with him, his wife and daughter, and shall now visit him in St. Margaret’s Hospital, Durham.
J Robinson DCM MM
2 School Avenue, Kelloe
Date: 1969?
Contributed by Jack Turton