Born in Rockhampton, Fitzroy Brand was living there and working as a clerk for the accountant Joseph Kenna when he enlisted for WWI.
A Private in the 26th Battalion, Brand embarked from Brisbane in January 1916, proceeding to Alexandria and then France. He received several promotions during the course of his service, and was appointed Lieutenant in March 1917.
Fitzroy returned to Australia in July 1919, settling in Orange and marrying Jessie Machin in 1928. The couple had two daughters, Margaret and Jennifer.
A prominent public figure in Orange, Fitzroy held several positions during the 1930s and 40s including President of the Orange sub-branch of Returned Soldiers and Sailors’ Imperial League (RSSIL), President of the Orange Diggers’ Race Club and Manager of the Orange Producers’ Rural Co-operative Society Ltd (OPR).
