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@Markyboy
OK, here's my take on it. As the pads start to grip the rim, the wheel will be rotating forward, pulling the brake forward too. Once they have gripped and slow the bike, you have the whole weight of the bike and you behind the brake, pushing against it. Without the bolt against the fork crown, all this pressure is taken on the forks at two level points allowing it to twist and exert pressure on the forks. The bolt stabilizes the brake and spreads the pressure to a third point. Does that make any more sense?
In the diagram above, the bolt (6) is extended to the crown, so there must be some reason for it and it can't do any harm.