James Alexander Brown was the son of Archibald Brown and Isabelle Brown (née McArthur) of Glasgow, Scotland. He was the husband of Margaret Brown of Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland.

Details of the action for which Brown was awarded the Military Medal are contained in the Official History of 21 Battalion by J.F. Cody - in particular see pages 165 -167. At 4 pm on 4 July 1942 two companies, A and B, with approximately thirty casualties, were held up at the bottom of the northern escarpment of El Mreir. 'The Italians were trying to dislodge them with grenades. Sergeant Jock Brown, A Company, recrossed El Mreir with a request by West-Watson for assistance, food and water. CSM Bill Davies, B. Company, was also asked to deliver the same request. Both made the journey successfully, reported to Battalion Headquarters, and returned to their companies.' A useful map appears opposite page 149 of Cody's book. Also, page 173 shows the positions of the opposing sides by mid July 1942.

He was wounded twice: once on 27 May 1941 (on Crete) and again on 20 April 1943. He died as a result of this second wounding.

He is buried in Enfidaville War Cemetery and commemorated in the Hall of Memories in Auckland War Memorial Museum.

WO II J. A. Brown, MM; born Scotland, 16 Apr 1906; warden instructor; wounded May 1941; died of wounds 20 Apr 1943. (Source: Cody, J.F. 21 Battalion. p.166.)

'A Company had rather an easier time, although it was hours before it was across. The 22nd Battalion was able to give some covering fire, which assisted the advance and kept the casualties down. Major Panckhurst was wounded half-way over, leaving both assaulting companies without commanders, and Lieutenant West-Watson took command of both groups. The position at 4 p.m. was that the two companies, less 12 Platoon, and with approximately thirty casualties, were held up at the bottom of the northern escarpment and the Italians were trying to dislodge them with grenades. Sergeant Jock Brown, A Company, recrossed El Mreir with a request by West-Watson for assistance, food and water. CSM Bill Davies, B Company, was also asked to deliver the same request. Both made the journey successfully, reported to Battalion Headquarters, and returned to their companies.' (Source: Cody, J.F. 21 Battalion. p. 166.) AWMM