BROWN, F/O Edward Raymond (182357) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.83 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 16 November 1945. Born 1922 at Riverside, Ontario; educated at Headstone Lane Council School; home in North Wenillby [?], Middlesex; enlisted 1940; trained in Canada; commissioned August 1944. Air Ministry Bulletin 20218/AL.1104 refers. ...is a resolute and courageous captain of aircraft who has taken part in a large number of operational sorties. On one occasion in March 1945 he was detailed for target marking duties. On approaching the target area his aircraft was engaged by heavy anti-aircraft fire and hit in many places. Undaunted, this officer calmly flew on and dropped his flares accurately on the target. The incident is typical of the determination and devotion to duty displayed by Flight Lieutenant Brown throughout his operational career.

BROWN, F/L James Edward (177621) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.582 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 13 April 1945. Allison find, but not in Directorate of History and Heritage, CFHQ award cards. Royal Air Force Personnel Management Agency, in a letter to H.A. Halliday dated 16 July 1999, stated that he was born in Rotherham, Yorkshire in 1921. BROWN, F/L James Edward (177621) - Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross - No.582 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 16 November 1945. Citation in Public Record Office Air 2/9137 noting he had flown 55 sorties and 287 operational hours; of these, 20 trips had been made since earlier recommendation, three sorties and 16 hours had been logged since his previous award. Flight Lieutenant Brown has completed a most distinguished and extended tour of duty. The majority of his sorties have been flown with the Pathfinder Force. Since being recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross he has completed many target marking sorties as captain of aircraft. Throughout he has shown excellent capabilities as a captain of aircraft, a fine fighting spirit and a strong devotion to duty

BROWN, F/O Reginald Wiseman (104694) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.218 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 22 May 1942. From Antler, Saskatchewan; Sergeant in RAFVR; commissioned 1941 after training in Canada (graduated from No.4 BGS, Fingal, 16 March 1941); killed in action 24 June 1944, aged 30, while a Squadron Leader with No.7 Squadron; buried in Warhem Communal Cemetery, France (information supplied by Common?wealth War Graves Commission which noted that he was the son of Alvin and Agnes Brown, Antler, Saskatchewan). Cited with S/L A.W. Oldroyd, AFC. AFRO 880-881 dated 12 June 1942 merely identified him as RAF trained in Canada, but AFRO 1660/44 dated 4 August 1944 (announcing him missing on 24 June 1944) and AFRO 1036/45 dated 22 June 1945 (confirming his death) identified him as a Canadian in the RAF. Air Ministry Bulletin 7045 refers, Squadron Leader Oldroyd and Flying Officer Brown were captain and navigator respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack the Skoda works at Pilsen. Dense cloud was experienced in the last 200 miles to the target but, owing to the navigational skill of Flying Officer Brown, the objective was reached and located five minutes before the estimated time. Very heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered and the aircraft was repeatedly hit. Despite this, Squadron Leader Oldroyd remained over the target for a considerable time. On the return journey the aircraft was held by searchlights and subjected to further anti-aircraft fire, which was evaded successfully. Later, the aircraft was engaged by a Junkers 88, fire from which caused damage to the oil system, the port landing wheel and the petrol tanks. Throughout this combat, Squadron Leader Oldroyd displayed skill and courage of a high standard which contributed largely to the safe return of his aircraft and crew. Flying Officer Brown has continually displayed great skill and courage, and has always identified his targets under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions. BROWN, F/L Reginald Wiseman (104694) - Mention in Despatches - awarded as per London Gazette 14 January 1944.

BROWN, Lieutenant Frederick Elliott - Mention in Despatches - awarded as per London Gazette dated 18 May 1917. Born 3 February 1895 in Quebec City; home there (medical student, Laval University); served overseas as a Lieutenant with 8th Canadian Infantry Battalion, transferring to Dublin Fusiliers in December 1915, serving on the Western Front from March to July 1916. Appointed Flying Officer (Observer) with RFC, 4 January 1917, with effect from 29 August 1916; with No.2 Squadron, August 1916 to April 1917 (observer); trained as a pilot; with No.84 Squadron, October 1917 to 3 May 1918 (wounded). Appointed Flight Commander, January 1918. Injured in flying accident, 29 or 30 March 1918. Leave in UK and Canada followed by service as an instructor at Dover and Northolt, September 1918 to about June 1919 when repatriated and released. Took refresher flying course, Camp Borden, 1920. Managed his own lumber company in Quebec, 1920-1929. Commercial aviation (ground manager, Aircraft Limited and Skyways Limited) in Toronto, 1929-1930; Secretary/Manager of York Downs Golf Club, 1930-1939; business manager, Essex Cooker Company, Toronto. 1939-1940. Enlisted in RCAF, 4 April 1941 and served throughout the war as a Flight Lieutenant, first in Aerodrome Control (April 1941 to September 1943) and then Administrative Officer (15 September 1943 to discharge). Served at No.8 SFTS, Moncton, 19 April 1941 to 6 June 1942 as Aerodrome Control Officer; at Station Rockcliffe, 7 June to 7 November 1942; No.1 Training Command Headquarters, Toronto, 8-22 November 1942; No.3 University Air Training Cadets, University of Toronto, 23 November 1942 to 27 June 1943 where he was attached to No.23 Pre-Aircrew Education Detachment; No.11 Recruiting Centre, Toronto, 28 June 1943 to 16 July 1944; No.1 Training Command Headquarters, Toronto, 17 July 1944 to 11 October 1944; No.1 Manning Depot, Toronto, 11-31 October 1944; No.4. Release Centre, Toronto, 31 October 1944 (interviewing officer) until released 27 July 1945. Died 15 September 1971. See Harry Creagen, "Captain F.E. Brown", Journal of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society, Summer 1964. Photo RE-22056 shows him in RCAF, 1941. Public Record Office Air 1/1158/204/5/2488 has the recommendation for his Mention in Despatches, prepared by Brigadier-General G.S. Sheppard, MC (Commanding 1st Brigade, Royal Flying Corps) and dated 9 March 1917: // For gallantry and devotion to duty, as Observer in No.2 Squadron, since August 29th, 1916. On 22nd October 1916 he brought down a hostile machine near Ecurie, and on 25th February 1917 he brought down a hostile machine in flames over Lens. // AIR 1/1255/204/8/39 has a more detailed text for the MiD: // For general good work as an Observer, and in particular for destroying two hostile machines as follows: // On the 22nd October 1916, when engaged on artillery patrol over ECURIE, his machine was attacked by two hostile aeroplanes, one of which Lieut. Brown brought down; the hostile machine was seen by F.O.O. [forward observation officer] to fall just behind the enemy’s lines. // On the 25th February 1917, Lieut. Brown was observer in a machine which was attacked by a Halberstadt Scout over LENS. After a fight at close range, the hostile machine caught fire and fell in flames, completely out of control. // BROWN, Lieutenant Frederick Elliott - Croix de Guerre (France) - awarded as per London Gazette dated 14 July 1917. Public Record Office Air 1/204/36/127 has recommendation sent from First Brigade to Headquarters, Royal Flying Corps, 1 May 1917. // For gallantry and skill as an observer, particularly on the following occasions:- // On 25th March 1917, when on Artillery Patrol, he was attacked by a hostile machine over Lens. After a short fight, the hostile machine was driven down in flames. // On 22nd October 1916, over Ecurie, he was attacked by two Roland Scouts. One of these was driven off and the other shot down and destroyed near Bailleul. This was confirmed by Balloon Observers. This officer has also done some excellent artillery work. // BROWN, Lieutenant Frederick Elliott - Military Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 22 April 1918. // For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst leading a patrol of five machines, on observing four hostile scouts diving on one of our formations, he at once engaged them, driving one of them down completely out of control, while his formation dispersed the others. Later, on sighting another hostile scout, he engaged it and forced it down spinning and out of control. While returning to his aerodrome, he observed an enemy two seater, and though his engine was running badly and might have failed him any moment, he attacked it and drove it down in a vertical nose dive. Previous to this he had driven down one other machine, which was seen to crash, and a third completely out of control. He is a most daring and skilful pilot. // Public Record Office file Air 1/1032/204/5/1434, “Honours and Awards - Immediate Awards, 1 October 1917 - 10 March 1918" has recommendation drafted 20 February 1918, provided courtesy of Frank Olynyk (CD image 6701). // For conspicuous darking and skill in attacking hostile aircraft. // On February 16th, 1918, while leading a patrol of five machines near St. Quentin, he observed four hostile scouts diving on one of our formations which was at a lower altitude. He at once dived on the enemy scouts, driving one of them completely out of control, while his formation dispersed the others. During this combat he became separated from his patrol, but on sighting a hostile scout he engaged it and forced it down, spinning out of control. // As the engine of his machine had began to run exceedingly badly, Lieutenant Brown decided to return to his aerodrome. However, while flying towards our lines, he observed an enemy two-seater. Despite the fact that his engine might give out at any moment, and make it necessary for him to land in the enemy’s lines, he flew south, attacked the machine and drove it down in a vertical nose-dive, so that it crashed to earthy near La Fere. // Previous to this, he has driven down one other machine, which was seen to crash, and one other completely out of control. // BROWN, Lieutenant Frederick Elliott - Bar to Military Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 22 June 1918. // For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in attacking enemy aircraft. During an engagement between fourteen of our scouts and about forty enemy scouts he shot down two enemy machines completely out of control. On another occasion he attacked a formation of seven enemy scouts and destroyed one of them. He has destroyed two other enemy machines and driven down one other out of control. His courage and initiative have been a source of inspiration to all. // NOTES: While with No.2 Squadron, his work was primarily artillery observation; aerial combat was avoided. Nevertheless, on 25 February 1917 he shot down a Halberstadt scout in flames near Lens. With No.84 Squadron (SE.5a aircraft) he scored his first victory on 8 November 1917, shooting down out of control an enemy machine (type not specified in communiques) while with a Captain Child. He was not mentioned further in communiques until 16 February 1918 when he scored a triple victory (see MC citation). The communique reported he was leading a patrol of five SE.5a machines when they saw four hostile aircraft attacking another RFC formation. Brown led his pilots down to engage and drove one down out of control; he fired on another and saw tracers enter its fuselage, sending it spinning away out of control. His companions had chased away the other two enemy scuts. His engine now gave trouble and he turned for home. En route he encountered an LVG two-seater, and although his engine threated to stop at any moment, attacked the enemy machine, firing 150 rounds from a range of 30 yards. The enemy machine went into a vertical dive and was seen to crash by another No.84 Squadron pilot. March 1918 was a busy month for No.84 Squadron and Brown. On 11 March 1918 in company with another pilot he shot down an enemy scout that crashed near Lavergies; he destroyed another scout on 13 March 1918. On 17 March 1918 his patrol was part of a force of 14 RFC machines which fought some 40 enemy scouts; Brown was credited with shooting down two out of control. His final two victories were on 18 March and 22 March 1918 (one German aircraft shot down out of control on each occasion). // Public Record Office Air 1/1216/204/2634/2 has Combat Reports involving him in No.2 Squadron (copied into National Library and Archives, MG.40 D.1 Vol.20) as follows: // 11 December 1916 // Aeroplane: BE.2D 6231 // Armament: two Lewis guns // Pilot: Lieutenant. 2/Lt. C.D. Bennett // Observer: Lieutenant F.E. Brown // Time: 10.20 a.m. // Locality: Les Brebis (Sheet 36 c) // Duty: Artillery and High Patrol // Height: 8,500 feet // Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Slight extensions, fish tail, fuselage very thick by pilot’s seat and tapering down a great deal towards the tail. Two seater firing over the tail. // // Narrative // At 10.20 a.m. the hostile machine left a formation of five others over Loos and came towards us. He flew west of us and then turned south. He then made for the lines (East) and observer fired 3/4 a drum over the back mounting at about 150 yards range. The gun then jambed and the hostile machine recrossed the lines just south of Lens without firing at us. He was about 1,000 feet above us. // 11 December 1916 // Aeroplane: BE.2D 6231 // Armament: two Lewis guns // Pilot: Lieutenant. 2/Lt. C.D. Bennett // Observer: Lieutenant F.E. Brown // Time: 10.45 a.m. // Locality: Cambrin // Duty: Artillery and High Patrol // Height: 9,000 feet // Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Slight extensions, fish tail, fuselage very thick by pilot’s seat and tapering down a great deal towards the tail. Two seater firing over the tail. // // Narrative // At 10.45 a.m. a hostile machine crossed by La Bassee canal and came towards us. Observer fired about ten rounds off the front gun mounting at about 100 yards range. The hostile machine immediately turned East and fired at us over his tail and did not recross the lines. Tracer bullets seemed either to hit fabric or pass between struts. // 1st February 1917 // Aeroplane: BE.2c 2503 // Armament: two Lewis guns // Pilot: Lieutenant. Lieutenant F. Fernihough // Observer: Lieutenant F.E. Brown // Time: 2.15 p.m. // Locality: Douvrain // Duty: Artillery Observation // Height: 4.,00 feet // Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Short machine with broad span - two seater. // // Narrative // Hostile machine seen approaching from direction of Wingles. Engaged over Douvrain with observer’s front gun, firing one drum from 500 yards range. The hostile machine immediately and glided down in the direction of Provin. The hostile machine offered no resistance and appeared to have been hit. // // 25th February 1917 // Aeroplane: BE.2c 2521 // Armament: two Lewis guns // Pilot: Lieutenant H. Fowler // Observer: Lieutenant F.E. Brown // Time: 1.45 p.m. // Locality: Lens // Duty: Artillery Registration // Height: 6,500 feet // Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Halberstadter Scout. Single seater. Machine gun firing through propellor. Large fixed engine. Dark coloured fuselage and wings. // // Narrative // At 1.45 p.m. we were attacked by hostile aircraft over Lens. Opened fire at about 150 yards. When hostile machine came within 75 yards he turned off, the forward part burst into flames which swept back along the fuselage. Hostile machine disappeared, still in flames, diving into the clouds which were at about 6,000 feet. // 6th April 1917 // Aeroplane: B.E.2c 2521 // Armament: Two Lewis guns // Pilot: Captain H. Fowler // Observer: Lieutenant F.E. Brown // Time: 10.15 a.m. // Locality: Givenchy to Laurette Ridge // Duty: Artillery Observation // Height: 4,500 feet // Remarks on Hostile Very dark scout. Very fast. General appearance like that of a Nieuport. Probably Albatross scout. // Narrative // At 10.15 a.m. saw a B.E.2c being attacked behind Givenchy by a single hostile machine. We went to its assistance, but the B.E. almost immediately burst into flames, and the hostile machine turned on to us. // We came down in a steep spiral to within 300 feet of the ground, just north of Souchez, followed closely by the enemy machine. We fired two drums of ammunition from the rear mounting whilst in spiral; he was firing continuously. // We then flattened out and fired two drums from front mounting at H.A. at a range of about 100 yards, finally driving him back over his own lines. Some of our tracer bullets appeared to hit the hostile machine. // 11th May 1917 // Aeroplane: A.W.B. A9990 // Armament: one Lewis and one Vickers guns // Pilot: Captain H. Fowler // Observer: Lieutenant F.E. Brown // Time: 1.20 p.m. // Locality: South of Lens // Duty: Artillery Observation // Height: 6.,00 feet // Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Large two-seater machine with thick fuselage painted white (possibly Aviatik). Gun firing through propellor. Speed about same as A.W.B. // Narrative // Saw hostile machine approaching us from the South and flying in the same direction. When H.A. came within close range and opened fire on us, we replied with Lewis gun. The H.A. immediately turned off and disappeared, diving in an easterly direction. One drum of ammunition was fired at him. // This two seater H.A. was apparently escorted by two small red scout machines, and one of these scouts followed us for five or ten minutes, but did not come within range. // // Public Record Office Air 1/1222/204/5/2634/84 has Combat Reports involving him (copied into National Library and Archives, MG.40 D.1 Vol.22) as follows: // 8 November 1917 // Aeroplane SE.5a, B.513 (Vickers and Lewis guns) // Pilot: Lieutenant. F.E. Brown // Time: about 2.15 p,m. // Locality: East of Pollcapelle // Duty: Offensive Patrol // Height: 13,000 feet // Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Albatross two-seater // Assessment: “Indecisive” // Narrative // We dived at one two-seater Albatross over Pollcapelle. Saw leader attack E.A. and E.A. started a steep spiral. Whilst E.A. was in spiral I fired about 40 rounds from V and L at E.A. Enemy aircraft when last seen was going down in a steep spiral dive. // 16 February 1918 // Aeroplane SE.5a, C.5346 (Vickers and Lewis guns) // Pilot: Captain F.E. Brown // Time: 10.30 to 11.10 a.m. // Locality: St. Quentin and La Fere // Duty: Offensive Patrol // Height: 11,000 feet // Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: 1. Albatross V-strutters, larger than the usual type. Performance not as good as S.E. 2. Large two-seater, probably L.V.G. // Assessment: Two E.A. Scouts driven down out of control. One E.A. 2-seater crashed north of La Fere. Confirmed as crashing by Lieutenant J.F. Larson. // Narrative // Whilst leading a patrol of S.E.s I saw a formation of four V-strutters dive on our lower formation, which were at a height of 12,000 feet. I dived, and getting on to the rear E.A. opened fire with both guns at very close range. He flew level for a short time; then his nose went down and he went into a spin. I saw him apparently trying to flatten out once or twice, but he never succeeded. Both Lieutenant Johnson and myself watched him spinning down till we lost sight of him in the haze. My formation dispersed the other three enemy air craft and drove them East. // I then changed my drum of Lewis and in so doing strayed away from the formation. I saw a V-strutter going southeast. I got onto his tail and fired a long burst from both guns at close range. I saw my tracer hitting E.A. He appeared to become out of control, as he went down stalling and spinning. I did not see him flatten out. // My engine then went dud, so I made for our lines. I saw an enemy two-seater flying East, so I flew South to cut him off. I fired about half a drum of Lewis into him, and he went into a vertical dive, going southeast. I got onto his tail as he was diving and fired about 150 rounds of Vickers into him at about 30 yards range. I left him at 6,000 feet, when he was still in a vertical nose dive. Lieutenant Lawson of this squadron saw this two-seater dive into the ground just north of La Fere. My engine being then giving very few revs I made my way home. // 11 March 1918 // Aeroplane SE.5a, 5346 and C90 (Vickers and Lewis guns) // Pilot: Captain F.E. Brown and Lieutenant G.O. Johnson // Time: 10.40 a.m. // Locality: Levergies // Duty: Offensive Patrol // Height: 11,000 feet // Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: V-strutter Albatross, single seater, painted black, firing through propellor. // Assessment: One E.A. shot down and seen to crash. // Narrative // Whilsts patrolling over Lavergies at 11,000 feet in formation of four SE.5a’s, I saw a V-strutter approaching from the West, just above us. I turned and attacked E.A., firing a good burst. The E.A. turned towards me, and I did a right hand turn with E.A. following. Lieutenant Johnson then attacked E.A. and fired about 200 rounds at E.A. at very close range, forcing E.A. to come underneath me. I then dived on E.A. again, firing with both guns at a very close range. E.A. continued down out of control. I followed him down to 5,000 feet. Lieutenant Johnson went down to 4,000 feet and saw E.A. crash into the ground near Lavergies. Second Lieutenant Stubbs also saw E.A. crash into the ground, a complete wreck. // 13 March 1918 // Aeroplane SE.5a, B.8337 (Vickers and Lewis guns) // Pilot: Captain F.E. Brown // Time: 12.10 p.m. // Locality: Northeast of St. Quentin. // Duty: Offensive Patrol // Height: 15,500 feet // Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: V-strutter Albatross, camouflaged // Assessment: One E.A. Scout crashed. // Narrative // Whilst leading a patrol of SE.5a’s, I saw three Camels being attacked by a number of V-strutters over Lesdains. I dived on the leading E.A. and fired a short burst. E.A. went into a vertical dive, came out of dive, then lost control again, and crashed into Homblieres Village at 12.10 p.m. I went down to 8,000 feet to see E.A. crash. // 17 March 1918 // Aeroplane SE.5a, B.8337 (Vickers and Lewis guns) // Pilot: Captain F.E. Brown // Time: 11.40 to 12.10 p.m. // Locality: Busigny and west of Busigny // Duty: Offensive Patrol // Height: 12,000 to 6,000 feet // Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: V-strutter Albatross, ordinary, with silver fuselage. // Assessment: Two E.A. Scouts shot down one of control. // Narrative // Whilst returning with Squadron patrol from Busigny, I noticed several V-strutters between us and the lines at about 12,000 feet. I dived at one, and got a very good burst in at close range, and saw some of my tracer bullets going into his cockpit. The E.A. went vertically down out of control. Second Lieutenant Stubbs also saw this E.A. go down out of control. I did not see him crash. // Soon after this combat, I noticed a number of E.A. about 6,000 feet near Busigny. I went down after them with the rest of my Flight and engaged two V-strutters separately, and one two-seater L.V.G. One of the V-strutters, after I had fired a good burst at him from close range with my Vickers gun, lost control. He had been flying straight, and after I had fired at him from close range, be became wobbly, dropped his nose, and started to go down in a fluttering spin, but I was unable to see whether he crashed or not as I had to engage another V-strutter. I am certain he was done for, as he was right in the middle of my sights at about 30 yards range. The next V-strutter dived down so quickly that I was unable to come within close range of him, so I broke off, and attacked a L.V.G. two-seater that was approaching west from Lesdain. Lieutenant Johnson was with me, and we both fired good bursts at the E.A., but just as I was manoeuvring to get under his tail, my engine started choking, and I had to break off the combat. Lieutenant Johnson followed me back to the lines. The two-seater went down steeply, but under control. // 18 March 1918 // Aeroplane SE.5a, B.8337 (Vickers and Lewis guns) // Pilot: Captain F.E. Brown // Time: 11.30 and 11.50 a.m. // Locality: St. Souplet and Sequehart // Duty: Offensive Patrol // Height: 16,000 and 8,000 feet // Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: V-strutter Albatross, camouflaged. // Assessment: One E.A. Scout shot down one of control. // Narrative // While doing a Squadron O/P. In conjunction with D.H.4s bombing Busigny, we attacked a formation of about thirty V-strutters and triplanes at 16,000 feet. I stayed on top to protect the D.H.4s who were being attacked by considerable numbers of E.A. I managed to close in and shoot down one V-strutter who was on the tail of a Dh>4. This E.A. fell completely out of control and nearly crashed three other E.A. who were below. The last I saw of the E.A, he was going absolutely vertically down, at about 3,000 feet, but there were too many E.A. about to permit me to watch him crash. // On returning towards our lines in formation of four SE’s I saw a V-strutter going S.E. from Sequehart. I dived down and attacked him, but when I got within close range and on his tail, my engine started to choke, so I broke off the attack. Lieutenant Johnson, who was just behind me, closed on the E.A. and drove him down completely out of conrol. This E.A. kept spinning and stalling, and I last saw him at about 4,000 feet. // 22 March 1918 // Aeroplane SE.5a, B.8337 (Vickers and Lewis guns) // Pilot: Captain F.E. Brown // Time: 2.15 p.m. // Locality: Fayet // Duty: Offensive Patrol // Height: 7,000 feet // Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Pfalz single seater, painted silver colour. // Assessment: One E.A. shot down one of control. // Narrative // While leading my Flight in Squadron formation, I attacked a formation of seven Pfalz machines. I closed in on the nearest E.A. and managed to get within very close range on his tail when I opened fire with Vickers and Lewis. The E.A. fell over and started to spin, out of control. I did not follow him down. // Lieutenant Johnson, who also fired at this E.A., saw him spinning down out of control. // Lieutenant Nel also saw this E.A. spin down, flatten out at 3,000 feet and spin again, and when he last saw E.A. it was close to the ground and still spinning. // Directing Artillery: Excepts from diary of No.2 Squadron, AIR 1/735/204/1/14, copied into Library and Archives Canada MG.40 D.1 Volume 16: // 1 April 1917 - BE.2c 2521, Captain H. Fowler, Lieutenant F.E. Brown - Observation with 52nd Siege Battery, 11.25 a.m. to 2.25 p.m. “Successful. Ranged battert on to Hostile Battery No.M.64. Two ‘O.K’s’ and ten ‘Y’s and ‘Z’s” obtained. Large explosion caused at S.E. corner of cross roads M.28.a.20.43. Battery kept us waiting half-an-hour. In middle of shoot, gun went out of action for 20 minutes, 24 rounds fired. Observation by pilot. Miscellaneous Information - Five hostile machines seen patrolling berween Arras and Lens. 12.45 p.m. balloon at OPPY, 1.30 p.m. balloon at MERICOURT. \Weather - cloudy, misty and squally. Observation difficult.” // 1 April 1917 - BE.2c 2521, Captain H. Fowler, Lieutenant F.E. Brown - Artillery Patrol, 5.45 p.m. to 7.35 p.m. Miscellaneous Information - Area calls sent down as follows at (1) 6.00 p.m. NF.M.64 (2) 6.10 p.m. NF.T.13 (3) 6.20 p.m., NF.M.73 (4) 6.35 p.m. NF.S.5.b.6.9 (5) 6.30 p.m. NF.M.80 (6) 6.50 p.m. MT.I.13.a.8.5. (7) 6.55 p.m.. NF.M.80 (8) 6.55 p.m. NF.M.71 (9) 7.3 p.m. NF.M.89. Five flashes seen at 7.10 p.m. H.B.T. 10. Accuracy A. Did not send down area call as we were compelled to lose height by six hostile aircraft and then had to ‘C.I.’ on account of darkness. Observation by pilot. 7.10 p.m. Six hostile machines, type unknown, over LIEVEN. Snow squalls and very gusty, observation generally poor, but very good for short intervals.” // 4 April 1917 - BE.2c 2521, Captain H. Fowler, Lieutenant F.E. Brown - Artillery Observation with 52nd Siege Battery, 4.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. “Successful. Ranged battery on to hostile battery No.M.10. 1 ‘O.K.’, three ‘Y’s’ and nine ‘Zs’ obtained. Two of the ‘Z’s hit brick stack in which most southerly gun is supposed to be. One ‘Z’ hit Northern side of brick stack against which second pit from North East is built. One ‘A’ at 2 o’clock hit just outside North East corner of house apparently edge of N.E. pit. Two rounds hit the buildings around which battery is placed.” // 10 April 1917 - BE.2c 2521, Captain H. Fowler, Lieutenant F.E. Brown - Special Reconnaissance of I Corps Front, 3.30 p.m. to 4.50 p.m. “Successful. LENS quiet. PONT-A-VERDIN quiet. 4.00 to 4.30 p.m., 100 Infantry M.23.c,1.5. 4.00 to 4.30, 200 Infantry M.23.c.3.6. The above road behind buildings, not on the move. 4.00 to 4.30 p.m., 40 to 50 Infantry S.35.d.4.2 moving South. 4.00 to 4.30 p.m. Movement of Infantry S.35.d.4.2. Saw many dark objects in support and reserve trenches from Double Crassier to M.26 - probably men but could observe no movement. Observations from 3,000 feet by pilot and observer. 3.53 p.m. one train going South at WAHAGNIES; 4.30 p.m. one train COURRIERES to HENIN LIETARD.” // 14 April 1917 - BE.2c 2521, Captain H. Fowler, Lieutenant F.E. Brown - Reconnaissance of I Corps Front, 5.5 p.m. to 8.5 p.m. “Successful. Area reconnaissance GIVENCHY- Double Crassier. LIEVIN unoccupied. Bois HIRONDELLE unoccupied. All front line and reserve trenches in M.20.d, M.26, M.32, M.21, M.27, M.33, M.22, M.28, M.34, S.4 unoccupied. Height of observation 300 feet. Front line and reserve trenches from Double Crassier to M.21.s Crook and Crazy, also line trenches running M.24-M.30-M.36-S.6 unoccupied. Height of observation 1,000 feet. Our infantry patrols by 7.45 p.m. and advanced to M.27.d.50, also Cavalry in M.33.b. Dropped four messages at 24th Divisional Headquarters. Dropped one message at battalion H.Q. in Bois en Hache. Seven explosions seen at N.7.b from 5.20 to 7.40 p.m. Two explosions seen in LENS near Church at about 6.30 p.m. Balloon at HARNES. Hostile machine seen at 7.40 p.m. over LENS at 400 feet.” // Air 1/838/204/5/290 (Brigade Work Summaries, February 1918), copied into Library and Archives Canada MG 40 D.1 Volume 17 has the following under date of 16 February 1918: // At 10.30 a.m. Captain Brown, No.84 Squadron, with a patrol of three other SE.5s was attacked by four Albatross Scouts over S.E. of St. Quentin. He obtained a favourable position on the tail of the rear E.A., getting in a good burst with both guns at very close range. E.A. fell completely out of control and was lost sight of in the haze. He then engaged a second Albatross Scout from the rear; tracers were seen to enter the hostile machine which fell out of control. As Captain Brown’s engine started to give trouble, he made for our lines. On the way back he encountered a two-seater L.V.G. He fired 150 rounds into it from 30 yards range; it fell out of control and was seen by Lt. Larson to crash just north of La Fere. // Air 1/838/204/5/285 (Brigade Work Summaries, March 1918), copied into Library and Archives Canada MG 40 D.1 Volume 17 has the following under date of 22 March 1918: // Captain Brown, MC, No.84 Squadron, over Fayet about 2.15 p.m. while leading his Flight, attacked a formation of seven E.A. He closed to the nearest E.A. and managed to get within very close range on its tail and opened fire with both guns. E.A. fell over and started to spin out of control. Confirmed by two other pilots. // RCAF Service: He was informed on 7 September 1940 by W/C Albert de Niverville of the standards required of aircrew enlistment. He replied on 17 September 1940, admitting he was too old and lacked recent flying experience but expressed a desire to serve again in any capacity. Interviewed in Toronto, 4 January 1941 by F/O E.C. Cross - “RFC and RAF service would qualify him for Staff Pilot appointment. Subsequent civil experience would appear to meet requirements for Administration. Pleasant, intelligent, keen, of officer quality.” // Assessed 10 April 1943 indicating that he was not a satisfactory administrative officer as No.23 Pre-Aircrew Education Detachment. “R.211 indicates that he is unsuitable for Administrative duties and he states definitely that he does not wish to return to Aerodrome Control.” // Assessed 29 July 1943 - “Pleasing personality. Employed at this unit assessing ground trades applecarts. Satisfactory work. Will shortly be employed selecting aircrew. Decorations for valour and wings should prove asset if employed at a Manning Depot Trade Selection and Aircrew Selection Boards.” (F/L J.H. Yocom, No.11 Recruiting Centre). // Assessed 14 February 1944 at No.11 Recruiting Centre - “Has proved himself a conscientious and reliable recruiting officer.” (S/L J.O. Plummer). To this, W/C J.M. Roberts adds, “This officer is a credit to the service.” // Assessed 11 July 1944 - “A good interviewing officer. Has tact and is always considerate of others. Cooperates well and displays a fine Service spirit. Conscientious and reliable.” (S/L J.O. Plummer). To this is added the following - “Like many a man who is bold and courageous in action he is inclined to hide his light under a bushel. I consider he has excellent qualities which are deserving of recognition.” (W/C J.M. Roberts).

BROWN, 2nd Lieutenant LeeRoy Lowerison - Distinguished Flying Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 3 August 1918. Born in March 1896, Westmoreland Point, New Brunswick (but elsewhere on card it says he was born 6 March 1890 in Aulac, New Brunswick). Overseas with 5th Canadian Divisional Supply Column, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5 January 1915; discharged in 1916 as a private to accept commission with RFC; to No.4 Squadron as observer, 17 October 1916; to No.15 Squadron, 21 November 1916; wounded in March 1917; to No.26 Training Squadron, 15 April 1917; to No.44 Training Squadron, 29 August 1917; to Caproni Squadron, Italy, 6 February 1918; to No.103 Squadron, 11 March 1918; to No.57 Squadron, BEF, 5 April 1918. Taken prisoner, 8 August 1918. To No.11 Training Squadron, 5 February 1919; to No.123 (Canadian) Squadron, 28 March 1919; to No.24 Squadron, 5 February 1920. Whilst on counter-battery photography this officer was attacked by two triplanes and four biplanes. His gravity tank exploded and caught fire, but blew out. His centre section struts were shot through, also his wind shield. There were altogether fifty holes in his machine. After about a quarter of an hour\'s fighting he reached our lines. He then returned to complete his photography, climbing to 19,000 feet. In thus returning, after having been so badly shot about he showed a splendid example of courage and determination. Public Record Office file Air 1/1033/204/5/1434, ?Honours and Awards - Recommendations for Awards, 1 June 1918 to August 31, 1918\" has recommendation drafted 2 July 1918, provided courtesy of Frank Olynyk (CD image 9303). For skill and gallantry. On the 25th June 1918, whilst on counter-battery photography near Courcellete this officer was attacked bt two Triplanes and four Biplanes. Lieutenant Brown?s gravity tamk exploded and caught fire but blew out. His centre section struts were shot through, also his wind screen and altogether there were 50 holes in his machine. After about one-quarter hour?s fighting in which he was forced down from 18,000 to 8,000 feet he found he had reached over the lines and the enemy aircraft left him. He then climbed to 19,000 feet and returned to complete his photography, making a further 24 exposures. His pluck and determination in resuming his photography after having been so badly shot about is a splendid example to the rest of the squadron.

BROWN, Lieutenant William Henry - Military Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 22 June 1918. Born 12 March 1894. Home in Victoria, British Columbia (bank clerk). On General List; taken on strength of RFC, 4 April 1917; joined No.84 Squadron either 6 August or 27 September 1917; to Canada on 10 April 1918. For conspicuous gallantly and devotion to duty. Whilst bombing an enemy aerodrome his squadron was attacked by a formation of forty enemy scouts. He engaged one of these with the result that it dived straight to the ground. He was then attacked by another machine, and by skilful piloting he succeeded in firing at close range behind its tail, with the result that it fell on its back and went down out of control. Later, whilst leading a low-flying attack on enemy troops he dropped four bombs from a very low altitude, scattering the enemy in all directions, and then at a height of 300 feet engaged them with machine gun fire. Shortly afterwards he attacked two enemy two-seater planes, crashing them both to earth. In addition to these he has shot down out of control four other hostile machines, and has displayed throughout the recent operations marked gallantry and skill. Public Record Office Air 1/1226/204/5/2634/84, copies in National Library and Archive MG 30 D ADM, Box 22 (Reference 1000303862) has the following Combat Reports relevant to him: 23 December 1917 Aeroplane SE.5a, 559 (Vickers and Lewis guns) Pilot: 2/Lt. W.H. Brown Time: 1.00 p,m. Locality: North of St. Quentin Duty: D.O.P. Height: 12,000 feet Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Two-seater Albatross. Yellow and red camouflaged fuselage. Green camouflaged wings. Narrative Whilst on D.O.P. just North of St. Quentin we spotted some of our own Archie. Making for this we discovered a Hun machine going East. Capt. Pennell dived on the machine and then zoomed away. I continued the dive and fired a drum of Lewis into E.A. at fairly close range. He dived much steeper then. The observer did not fire. I then broke off the attack as I had a dud Vickers gun and the drum on the Lewis was empty. Capt. Pennell then dived again on the Hun and followed him right down. I last saw E.A. in a vertical nose-dive at about 4,000 feet. 10 March 1918 Aeroplane SE.5a C.5384 (Vickers and Lewis guns) Pilot: 2/Lt. W.H. Brown Time: 2.20 p,m. Locality: Bellicourt Duty: Offensive Patrol Height: 11,000 feet Result: 1 E.A. 2-seater Driven down out of control. Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Camouflaged green and black two-seaters. No dihedral and fish-shaped tail. Narrative Whilst leading a patrol at a height of 12,000 feet over canal north of St. Quentin, I saw three hunds over Bellicouirt, about our height. I made for them and climbed to about 200 feet above from out of the sun. I dived at the first and got under his tail at a distance of about fifty feet. I opened fire with both guns and emplied a Lewis drum into him and about 150 rounds of Vickers. About half-way through my burst I saw the observer fall forward and hang half out of the cockpit. After this the machine went into a slow lazy sort of spin. Lieut. Clear says he saw the machine still spinning about 2,000 feet above the ground. I did not continue as my Vickers had stopped and I had to put a new drum on the Lewis. Typed comment by the Commanding Officer (Major Sholto Douglas): One E.A. 2-seater driven down out of control - observer killed. 17 March 1918 Aeroplane SE.5a C.9623 (Vickers and Lewis guns) Pilot: 2/Lt. W.H. Brown Time: 5.30 p,m. Locality: Crevecoeur Duty: Offensive Patrol Height: 7,000 feet Result: 1 E.A. Driven down out of control. Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: 9 red Triplanes and 4 yelloe fuselage V-strutters. Narrative Whilst leading a patrol and at a height of 8,000 feet over Havrincourt Wood, I saw nine E.A. over Crevecoeur, and just under the clouds. I climbed towards them over the clouds, and was just about to dive through, when they appeared above the clouds. I promptly dived myself, and fired a long burst at a triplane, who dived into the clouds. I then dived at another and got in a long burst at short range. He turned over on his back and fell, half spinning and diving, evidently out of control. He disappeared into the clouds. I then dived on a V-strutter, who in turn dived into the clouds. I then discovered another lot of four V-strutters making for us from above, so I withdrew the patrol from the fight and came West over the lines. During the fight, the triplanes kept stalling out of the clouds and firing short bursts at us. Typed comment by the Commanding Officer (Major Sholto Douglas): 1 E.A. triplane driven down out of control. 18 March 1918 Aeroplane SE.5a C.9623 (Vickers and Lewis guns) Pilot: 2/Lt. W.H. Brown Time: 11.30 a,m. Locality: St. Souflet Duty: Offensive Patrol and Escort Height: 12,000 feet Result: 1 E.A. Triplane Destroyed; one E.A. Driven down out of control. Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Red Triplanes and V-strutters. Narrative While on a patrol which was escorting bombing machines we came across a formation of 40 or 50 E.A. Our formation diven on them,, and singling out a triplane, I fired a long burst at him. He turned over and started spinning, but came out again about 3,000 feet below. I then turned my attention on a V-strutter and fired a long burst into it at a range of about 50 feet. He turned over on his back and started a series of spins and dives, absolutely out of control. I lost sight of him as I discovered a triplane firing at me. At this time of the fight I was about 10,000 feet. The triplane which was firing at me, did so from a stalling position. I immediately dived at him, and on firing with both guns as I dived. He went under me, and as I turned I discovered him diving away. I continued diving after him, and when I got close I fired a long burst at him from a short range. He immediately started spinning, and after doing a few turns, went into a vertical dive. He continued to dive until he hit the ground. At this point two V-strutters attacked me and got on my tail. They fired a considerable number of rounds at me, and we made a sort of running fight of it for the lines. Typed comment by the Commanding Officer (Major Sholto Douglas): 1 V-Strutter shot down out of control 1 E.A. triplane seen to crash; several other indecisive combats. 25 March 1918 Aeroplane SE.5a C.9623 (Vickers and Lewis guns) Pilot: 2/Lt. W.H. Brown Time: 9.30 a.m. Locality: Flers Duty: Offensive Patrol Height: 3,000 feet Result: 2 E.A. 2-seaters destroyed Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: 1. A green camouflaged two-seater. Pear shaped tail; 2. A grey camouflaged two-seater similar to an L.V.G. Narrative While leading a bombing and ground strafing patrol over Carnoy and Combles, and just after we had dropped our bombs and fired at roads, I saw a Hun two-seater near Combles. I dived and fired a long burst into him until almost colliding. I zoomed away and turning, tried to find him again, but he had disappeared into the mist. Lt. Travers says that he saw the Hun diving steeply with smoke and flames issuing from him. I then collected the patrol together and strafed the Bapaume-Peronne road. Returning from this I saw another two-seater at about 1,000 feet. I dived at him and fired a long burst into him at a range of about 10 yards. He immediately dived and smoke came out of his machine. Both my guns stopped, so I turned away. Capt. Grosvenor now fired at him whilst he was diving. The two-seater continued to dive, and crashed into Flers village, where he burst into flames. Typed comment by the Commanding Officer (Major Sholto Douglas): Two E.A. two-seaters shot down in flames, one by 2/Lt Brown, and one by 2/Lt Brown and Capt. Grosvenor conjointly. ?Capt. Grosvenor? is Captain Robert Arthur Grosvenor, awarded MC, 26 July 1917 and Bar to MC, 16 September 1918. 3 April 1918 Aeroplane SE.5a C.9623 (Vickers and Lewis guns) Pilot: 2/Lt. W.H. Brown Time: 11.00 to 12.00 a.m. Locality: East of Villers Brettonneux Duty: Offensive Patrol Height: 8,000 feet Result: 1 E.A. Driven down out of control. Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: V-Strutters and Pflaz Narrative Whilst on an O.P. East of Villers Brettonneaux and at a height of 8,000 feet, the patrol dived on a formation of three V-strutters flying South. As we dived, another formation of Pfalz and V-strutters came out of the clouds just above us. One of them, a V-strutter, was firing at Capt. Grosvenor. I turned my guns on him and fired a long burst at him at close range. He turned over on his back and dived, still half on his balk. At this point four E.A. dived on me, and turned me away from the V-strutter, so that I lost sight of him. Capt. Grosvenor, however, saw the V-strutter close to the ground and still out of control.

BROWN, S/L Edwin Charles (RAF 70088) - Commended for Valuable Services in the Air - No.32 Operational Training Unit, Patricia Bay, British Columbia - Awarded as per London Gazette dated 2 June 1943 and AFRO 1459/43 dated 30 July 1943. Later awarded AFC (1 January 1946) for services at the same unit. DHist file 181.009 D.1753 (RG.24 Vol.20609) has recommendation for an AFC (which evidently was downgraded to Commendation) dated 11 February 1943. This officer joined the service in 1917 and served on flying duties with No.99 Squadron in France until after the war. In 1921 he was transferred to the Reserve, and since the commencement of hostilities in 1939 has been engaged on staff pilot and training duties where his work in formation of this OTU, his leadership, devotion to duty and flying have been of a high order and worthy of recognition. On several occasions when an aircraft of his Flight has been lost at sea in bad weather, Squadron Leader Brown volunteered and carried out searches in extremely bad and deteriorating weather setting a very fine example to Instructors and Pupils, thereby inspiring general confidence. AFRO 1459/43 has no citation; Governor General\'s Records (RG.7 Group 26 Volume 57, file 190-I, dossier 3) has final citation. Since the commencement of hostilities this officer has been engaged on staff pilot and training duties and his work in the formation of this Operational Training Unit, his leadership, and instructional flying ability have been extremely praiseworthy. On several occasions, when an aircraft of his Flight has been lost at sea during inclement weather, Squadron Leader Brown volunteered and carried out searches thereby setting a very fine example to Instructors and Pupils and inspiring general confidence. He has completed 792 flying hours since 1939. BROWN, S/L Edwin Charles (RAF 70088) - Air Force Cross - No.32 Operational Training Unit, Patricia Bay, British Columbia - Awarded as per London Gazette dated 1 January 1946 and AFRO 82/46 dated 25 January 1946. When recommended for AFC he had flown 1,509 hours. This officer has been engaged on staff pilot and training duties since the commencement of hostilities, where his work in the formation of this Operational Training Unit, his leadership, devotion to duty, and flying have been of a high order. On several occasions when an aircraft of his Flight has been lost at sea in bad weather, he has volunteered and carried out searches in extremely bad and deteriorating weather, setting a very fine example to Instructors and Pupils, thereby inspiring general confidence.

BROWN, F/L Alexander George (J10885) - Medal for Bravery (Czechoslovakia) - Canada Gazette dated 24 January 1948, AFRO 81/48 dated 6 February 1948. Born in Port Stanley, Ontario, 2 October 1919; home in Winnipeg; enlisted in Calgary, 23 June 1941. To No.2 Manning Depot, 2 August 1941; to No.4 ITS, Edmonton, 31 August 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 3 October 1941 but not posted to No.5 AOS, Winnipeg until 11 October 1941; graduated 17 January 1942 when posted to No.7 BGS, Paulson; graduated 28 February 1942 and promoted Sergeant; posted that day to No.1 ANS, Rivers; graduated and commissioned 4 April 1942; to \"Y\" Depot, 18 April 1942; embarked from Canada on 8 May 1942, and arrived No.3 PRC, Bournemouth, 23 May 1942. To No.7 PRC, 22 June 1942; to No.1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, 31 July 1942; promoted Flying Officer, 4 October 1942; to No.86 Squadron, 15 October 1942; promoted Flight Lieutenant, 4 April 1944; was to have gone to No.1674 Conversion Unit, 20 May 1944 but this was cancelled and he embarked for Canada on 14 June 1945, arriving 15 June 1944; to No.1 General Reconnaissance School, Summerside, 29 July 1944 (redesignated No.1 Reconnaissance and Navigation School, 4 February 1945); served there to 5 October 1945; released 11 October 1945. NOTE: A letter dated 22 May 1944 stated he had flown 33 sorties (494 hours 15 minutes) and that his total flying time was 797 hours 40 minutes. There is nothing to indicate why he was selected for this medal; an assessment dated 16 May 1944 described him merely as \"An average officer generally, very keen and good at his work as a navigator\". At the time the award was made he and others received a standard letter signed by Air Vice-Marshal J.M. Plant which read: I take this opportunity of expressing to you, on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff and all ranks of the Royal Canadian Air Force sincere congratulations on the honour that has been bestowed upon you by the Government of Czechoslovakia by the award of the Czechoslovak Medal for Bravery. This well merited award not only recognizes your personal invaluable contribution to the success of the recent conflict, but adds lustre to the record of the service in which you served. The official announcement of this award will appear in the Canada Gazette on Saturday, 24th January 1948. Arrangements regarding presentation of your award are being completed by the Czechoslovak Legation from whom you will hear in the near future. In the meantime the appropriate ribbon may be worn on service uniform. The award is evidently connected to the destruction of the German blockade runner, Alsterufer (2,729 tons), 27 December 1943. The ship had been in transit from Kobe, Japan to Bordeaux with wolfram cargo. It was detected by Sunderland T/201 at 46° 40´ N, 19° 30´ W., shadowed for four hours, attacked by a Sunderland of No.422 Squadron, and ultimately sunk by Liberator H, BZ796 of No.311 Squadron with bombs and rockets; P/O Dolezal, pilot F/O Hanus, navigator, received DFCs. . The burning ship was then spotted by a Liberator of No.86 Squadron. When seen the ship was on fire, stationary, and its crew in four lifeboats about half a mile distant. The No.86 Squadron machine made two attacks, dropping one 500-lb MC bomb on each run. The first missed astern, the second exploded 10 yards from the port side causing it to heel over violently before righting itself. When the aircraft left the scene, was burning from the stern to just forward of the bridge. The crew of this Liberator is described as including four members of the RCAF, viz F/O R.W. Chadwick (pilot), F/O R.J. Traill, F/O A.G. Brown and Warrant Officer A. Fuchs.

BROWN, F/O Alan Grant (J28086) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.429 Squadron - Award effective 1 December 1944 as per London Gazette dated 8 December 1944 and AFRO 337/45 dated 23 February 1945. Born 20 August 1920. Home in Millbrook, Ontario; enlisted Toronto 10 February 1942. Granted Leave Without Pay until 22 March 1942 when posted to No.1 Manning Depot. To No.6 ITS, 18 July 1942; graduated and promoted LAC, 11 September 1942 but not posted to No.20 EFTS until 10 October 1942. Ceased training 9 November 1942 when posted to Composite Training School to No.8 BGS, 23 November 1942; graduated 30 April 1943 and posted next day to No.2 AOS; graduated and commissioned 9 July 1943. To \"Y\" Depot, 13 July 1943; to United Kingdom, 28 July 1943. Repatriated 28 October 1944; retired 8 February 1945. Award sent by registered mail 30 March 1949. No citation other than \"..in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations against the enemy...numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty.\" DHist file 181.009 D.2609 (RG.24 Vol.20627) has recommendation dated 10 September 1944 when he had flown 34 sorties (162 operational hours) from 9 April to 25 August 1944. This officer has completed thirty-four sorties against such heavily defended targets as Hamburg, Stuttgart and Brunswick. At all times he has displayed the highest skill, courage and cheerfulness. Often in the face of concentrated opposition his coolness and disregard of danger have contributed largely to the safe return of the aircraft and crew. During his tour he has been highly successful in his bombing, and has been of great help training newer crews. It is considered that his fine example of devotion to duty, resolution and determination fully merit the award of the D.F.C. The sortie list was as follows: 9 April 1944 - Villeneuve St. George (5.50) 10 April 1944 - Ghent (4.30) 9 May 1944 - St. Valery en Caux (4.00) 11 May 1944 - Boulogne (4.20) 12 May 1944 - Louvain (4.55) 19 May 1944 - Le Clipons (3.50) 24 May 1944 - Aachen (4.40) 27 May 1944 - Bourg Leopold (5.35) 7 June 1944 - Acheres (4.40) 8 June 1944 - Mayenne (5.55) 12 June 1944 - Arras (5.15) 14 June 1944 - Cambrai (3.50) 15 June 1944 - Boulogne (3.40) 17 June 1944 - Oisemont (4.25) 21 June 1944 - Oisement (4.15) 24 June 1944 - Bonnetot (4.30) 25 June 1944 - Gorenflos (4.10) 27 June 1944 - Wizernes (3.55) 28 June 1944 - Metz (6.45) 4 July 1944 - Villeneuve St. George (5.35) 20 July 1944 - Grand Bois (3.45) 24 July 1944 - L’Hey (3.40) 25 July 1944 - Stuttgart (8.30) 28 July 1944 - Hamburg (5.00) 30 July 1944 - Amaye Seulle (4.00) 1 August 1944 - L’Hey (4.00) 3 August 1944 - Foret de Nieppe (4.05) 5 August 1944 - St. Leu d’Esserent (5.05) 8 August 1944 - Chantilly (4.25) 12 August 1944 - Brunswick (5.40) 13 August 1944 - Aisy (4.25) 15 August 1944 - Gardening (6.25) 18 August 1944 - Bois de St. Remy (3.35) 25 August 1944 - St. Mathieu (5.30)

BROWN, F/L Arthur Leland (J9354) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.216 Squadron - Award effective 19 September 1944 as per London Gazette dated 29 September 1944 and AFRO 2373/44 dated 3 November 1944. Born 13 December 1914 in Hawarden, Saskatchewan. Home there (farming, garage assistant, service station attendant). Served in 16/22 Saskatchewan Light Horse, 16 August 1940 to enlistment in RCAF; enlisted in Vancouver, 14 May 1941 and posted to No.2 Manning Depot. To No.1 ANS (guard duty), 8 June 1941. To No.4 ITS, 2 July 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 8 August 1941 when posted to No.5 EFTS; graduated 25 September 1941 when posted to No.7 SFTS; graduated and commissioned 19 December 1941. To No.31 GRS, Charlottetown, 9 January 1942; to No.31 OTU, Debert, Nova Scotia, 14 March 1942. To Ferry Command, Dorval, 30 June 1942; formally attached to RAF as of 7 July 1942. Emplaned for United Kingdom, 7 July 1942. Arrived in UK, 8 July 1942. To No.6 (Coastal) OTU, 29 September 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 1 October 1942. Attached Torpedo Training Unit, November 1942. To Middle East, 2 December 1942. To No.216 Squadron, 22 December 1942. Attended paratroop and supply dropping course, Ramat David, Palestine, 6 August to 15 October 1942. With No.216 Squadron to India, April 1944. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 19 December 1943. Returned to Canada, 28 February 1945. To No.2 Air Command, 13 March 1945. To No.31 OTU, 14 March 1945. To No.6 OTU, Comox, 15 April 1945. To Greenwood, 15 January 1946. To Eastern Air Command Communication Flight, 11 February 1946., still at Greenwood. To No.1 Composite Training School, 14 February 1946. To Air Material Communications Flight (Uplands), 2 April 1946. Postwar number was 19649. To No.412 Squadron, Rockcliffe, 25 March 1947. To Canadian Joint Air Training Centre, 7 November 1949. Postwar number was 19649. Promoted Squadron Leader, 14 June 1951. To AFHQ, 10 January 1952. Attended Army Staff College, Kingston, January to November 1952. To Tactical Air Command (Edmonton) as Staff Officer, Operations and Plans, 25 November 1952. To Canadian Joint Staff, London, 17 November 1956 on attachment as instructor at Old Sarum. To AFHQ, 8 August 1959. Retired 18 May 1962. Both DFC and AFC presented 1 April 1949. Died at Northwest Bay, British Columbia, 26 October 1975 as per British Columbia Vital Statistics. // This officer has taken part in operations in India, the Western Desert and the Eastern Mediterranean area. While flying in India he completed many supply dropping operations over difficult country and in the face of adverse weather. In May 1944 he led a formation of aircraft to drop supplies on an army column which was in urgent need of ammunition and food. Despite heavy ground opposition, this mission was successfully accomplished and though many of the aircraft sustained damage all reached base safely. Flight Lieutenant Brown has invariably shown the greatest determination, skill and courage. // BROWN, S/L Arthur Leland, DFC (J9354) - Air Force Cross - No.216 Squadron - Award effective 3 April 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 802/45 dated 11 May 1945. Public Records Office Air 2/9061 has recommendation dated 27 January 1945 when he had flown 2,033 hours, 124 in past six months. // This officer has served the squadron with distinction, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for work with the squadron detachment in India. On one occasion when one engine on the Dakota he was piloting failed, he safely made a single engined circuit at night. On another occasion when an engine cut he made a successful forced landing on a disused desert landing strip. This officer has set an excellent example in the squadron by his deportment and enthusiasm for his work. // This was edited to the following for Air Ministry Committee consideration: // This officer is a Captain of aircraft in No.216 Squadron and has set an excellent example in the squadron by his general flying and enthusiasm for work. On one occasion he experienced engine failure in a Dakota aircraft but made a successful forced landing on a disused desert landing strip. // Notes: On repatriation form dated 7 February 1945 he stated he had flown 570 operational hours (two tours, 230 sorties - but see list below which identifies only 97) and 1,300 non-operational hours for a total of 1,870 hours; last sortie was 10 June 1944. Types flown were Bombay (100 hours) Hudson (160 hours) and Dakota (1,610 hours). // A statement of his flying dated 15 October 1947 while with No.412 Squadron said he had flown 66 single-engine hours and 2,890 twin-engine hours. Simulated instrument hours were 61.45; cloud flying was 99 hours. // Attended a TCA Link Course, 14-19 March 1948 and Transport Support Course, 19 June to 15 July 1950. // Record of flying to 31 December 1955 listed following types - Tiger Moth (58.05), Anson (104.00), Hudson (306.45), Ventura (27.00), Bombay (93.10), Dakota (3,148.35), Expeditor (739.50), Liberator (11.35), Harvard (22.30), Goose (3.25), Mitchell (4.10), Norseman (8.55), North Star (441.30), Chipmunk (7.45), Bell Helicopter (14.10), C-119 (1.00), Canuck (1.30), Otter (7.30). Total to date was 5001 hours 25 minutes. // Selected Assessments: “A sound officer. I consider he would make an excellent Flight Commander in a Transport Squadron.” (W/C J.H. Williams, No.216 Squadron, 17 January 1945, noting he had joined the unit 21 December 1942 and had flown 2,033 hours 25 minutes). // At No.1 Composite Training School (18 February to 31 March 1946) described as follows: “This officer made slightly above average progress throughout the course. His individual exercises were completed in a competent manner and indicated careful preparation. His written work was quite well done. In syndicate exercises he contributed many sound suggestions. In public speaking, F/L Brown was rated as above average.” S/L W.R. Ramsay went on to write, “Slightly above average. F/L Brown is capable of assuming fairly responsible administrative duties.” // “The steady-going type of officer who carries out his every task methodically and efficiently. F/L Brown is an above average Captain of transport aircraft and can be relied on to look after his passengers in the best manner possible. This officer has been employed on flying duties almost continuously since joining the Service and it is recommended that F/L Brown should soon be given an opportunity to prove his worth in an administrative capacity. In this respect the Assessing Officer considers that F/L Brown’s experience would be best utilized if he were assigned a training staff position.” (W/C W.H. Swetman, No.412 Squadron, 24 March 1948; it may be noted that as of 6 April 1949 he was the North Star Conversion Training Officer of No.412). // A letter dated 14 July 1949 from J.F. Delaute (Assistant Secretary to the Governor) addressed to Air Marshal W.A. Curtis (Chief of the Air Staff) constitutes interesting reading: // “The Governor-General returned from his tour of Northern Canada on Saturday afternoon [9 July 1949]. His trip was most interesting and His Excellency praised very highly the very efficient arrangements made in this connection by the Royal Canadian Air Force for himself and members of his party. // “The skill, good judgement and courtesy of the pilots and crews of the various aircraft used in the North particularly impressed His Excellency, not to mention the similar qualities displayed by Flight Lieutenant A.L. Brown, DFC, AFC, Captain and Pilot of the North Star used on the larger stretches of the journey. // “His Excellency has asked that his most grateful thanks be expressed to you for placing the facilities of the RCAF at his disposal on this occasion, and that a message of appreciation be conveyed to Group Captain Annis and the host of officers and men who were responsible for the successful execution of the arrangements involved in a trip of this magnitude. It was, I gather, an adventurous tour, arduous in spots, but well carried out, and His xcellency looked marvellously fit when he returned.” // “F/L Brown is employed as an instructor in the Transport Air Support School at this Centre. He is responsible for the preparation of lectures, demonstrations and exercises pertaining to the teaching of the principles, staff duties, doctrine and employment of Transport Air Support. // This officer was not an instructor when he arrived at CJATC but, since joining, he has been quick to learn and is now a good instructor with immeasurable confidence in himself and his subject. His work has been of a high standard throughout. He is capable and conscientious in all his duties. // In addition to his normal duties in the Transport Air Support School, F/L Brown has been required to assist in the instruction given by other Schools, particularly the Offensive Air Support School. This officer has a well-rounded knowledge of all aspects of Land/Air Warfare. // F/L Brown is a keen curler and during the past year skipped a winning rink in the Kenora Military Bonspeil.” (W/C W.G. Welstead, CJATC, 7 November 1950). // “This officer possesses considerable knowledge of Army organization and has been extremely valuable in the planning of MSF operations and Alcanus exercises. He can be relied upon to complete the most difficult tasks with little or no supervision. His staff work has been consistently good at all times. He displays keenness to keep in flying practice and I recommend tat he be given the opportunity to return to active flying duties at an early date.” (signature illegible, dated 12 April 1955). To this, G/C C.G. Ruttan (Tactical Air Command Headquarters) adds on 14 April 1955, “S/L Brown is an all around good officer although I would not rate him quite as high as the above. He is keen, most cooperative and a hard worker. The past few years experience on this staff have shown a great improvement in his work. Recommended for promotion to Wing Commander.” // “As Staff Officer Operations and Plans, this officer fills a key position within the Command Headquarters. He has a remarkably retentive memory and is thoroughly competent in all respects. His unusually sound knowledge of Army organization and procedures is frequently demonstrated to good advantage. Possessing an enviable trait of recognizing the ‘meat’ of any problem, he can be relied upon to consistently produce most satisfactory results. S/L Brown possesses all the essential attributes to qualify him for promotion to higher rank and greater responsibilities.” (W/C H. Malkin, Tactical Air Command Headquarters, 29 September 1955). // “S/L Brown has shown himself to be an able staff officer. In his association with the Canadian Army and United States Armed Forces he has been very highly regarded and his opinions received with the greatest respect. He is well liked socially and his personal affairs appear to be quite normal. He maintains his flying proficiency to a high standard and is currently instrument qualified.” (W/C H.S. Lisson, Tactical Air Command Headquarters, 15 November 1956). // “This officer has served under me for nine months. During this time he has proved himself to be an efficient and conscientious instructor. He willingly accepts additional duties and can be relied upon to carry them out without supervision. Both he and his wife have taken an active part in all station social activities and in addition have made many friends among the local residents. He is a worthy representative of his Service and country.” (G/C W.V. Crawford-Compton, Old Sarum, 2 October 1957). // “This officer is a competent lecturer and has a good knowledge of all aspects of Land/Air Warfare. He is a rather quiet and reserved officer, without a forceful personality, but with all the qualities of integrity and reliability one wishes to see in an officer. He takes no part in the sporting activities of the Station but plays golf occasionally and appears to be fit. Both he and his wife have taken an active part in the social life of the station and have fitted into the pattern of the School very well. He has made adequate use of the flying facilities available to keep himself in current flying practice.” (G/C W.V. Crawford-Compton, Old Sarum, 30 October 1958 // “S/L Brown is within three months of completing a tour at this School. He has been an above average exchange officer and has taken his full share of instructor duties. He has a wide knowledge of land/air warfare matters and is able express himself clearly in the discussion periods.” (G/C W.V. Crawford-Compton, Old Sarum, 8 April 1959). // Training: Interviewed 3 March 1941 in Vancouver by a F/L Jones: “Typical farm and country boy. Has the necessary educational qualifications. Military training valuable. Keen on flying. Courteous and well mannered. Should be OK for pilot.” // Course at No.4 ITS was 3 July to 5 August 1941. Courses in Mathematics (92/100), Armament, practical and oral (95/100), Signals (100/100), Hygiene and Sanitation (34/40), Drill (80/100), Law and Discipline (56/100). Placed first in a class of 107. “Above average intelligence. Cool, sincere, well disciplined. Brother overseas in CASF.” // Course at No.5 EFTS was 8 August to 25 September 1941. Tiger Moth aircraft (28.00 dual, 30.05 solo of which 8.45 was on instruments). Ten hours in Link. “Should look around more, otherwise no faults.” Ground school courses in Airmanship (149/200), Airframes (96/100), Aero Engines (91/100), Signals (98/100), Theory of Flight (80/100), Air Navigation (180/200), Armament, oral (130/200). “Above average student. Conscientious, reliable, steady type, conduct very good.” // Course at No.7 SFTS was 25 September to 19 December 1941. Twin-engine aircraft; 35.30 day dual, 49.00 day solo, 4.50 night dual, 9.15 night solo. Of these hours, 17.35 on instruments. Also spent 20.30 in Link. “An above average pilot. Should overcome slight tendency towards being tense while flying.” (F/L F.A. Pearce). Further graded in Qualities as an Operational Pilot (above average), Formation Flying (average), Navigation Ability (above average), Night Flying (above average), Determination and Initiative (average), Instrument Flying (above average), Ability to Maintain Speed, Height and Course (above average). “Above average pilot, whose progress has been steady. Is a little on the nervous side, possibly over-keen. Did very well in G.I.S. Is a very dependable, conscientious worker.” Ground courses in Airmanship and Maintenance (128/200), Armament, written (91/100), Armament, practical (88/100), Navigation and Meteorology (184/200), Signals, written (48/50), Signals, practical (95/100). “Mature, dependable. Very conscientious worker. Has definite leadership qualities.” (S/L Harcourt-Lewis). Placed fifth in a class of 58. // Course at No.31 GRS, Charlottetown was 12 January to 14 March 1942. Flew 38 hours 20 minutes (all by day). Courses in DR Navigation (79/100 and 242/300), Astro Navigation (88/100), Compasses and Instruments (193/200), Meteorology (161/200), Signals (81/100), Reconnaissance (184/200), Coding (94/100), Ship Recognition (184/200), Photography (84/100), Visual Signals (Pass). Placed third in a class of 24. “A good officer who should make a sound G.R. pilot, after he has gained a little more confidence in himself. Recommended for flying boats.” // Course at No.6 OTU, 30 September to 3 November 1942. Hudson aircraft (2.50 day dual to first day solo; 9.45 total day dual; 13.35 day solo; 1.10 night dual to first night solo; 7.10 night solo; 3.10 in formation). Flying tests in General Flying (364/400), Applied Flying (186/200), Instrument Flying (227/250), Night Flying (90/100), Link (48/50). Ground courses in Airmanship (243/300), Armament (195/300), Navigation (132/200), Signals (65/100); no examination in Meteorology. // Application for Operational Wing - This was 11 September 1945 and listed the following sorties, all with No.216 Squadron and all described as Close Support: // 1 January 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (3.35) // 5 January 1943 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (4.55) // 6 January 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (2.50) // 9 January 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (3.20) // 11 January 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (4.25) // 12 January 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (3.10) // 17 January 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (4.10) // 18 January 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (4.10) // 19 January 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (2.50) // 20 January 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (3.40) // 21 January 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (6.05) // 27 January 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (5.15) // 28 January 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (4.05) // 31 January 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (6.05) // 4 February 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (1.20) // 5 February 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (5.00) // 6 February 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (3.05) // 8 February 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (6.05) // 9 February 1943 - Middle East - Bombay (4.20) // 21 February 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (4.40) // 22 February 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (2.20) // 23 February 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (4.45) // 24 February 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (2.20) // 27 February 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (3.50) // 1 March 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (9.00) // 7 March 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (6.55) // 8 March 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (5.40) // 10 March 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (3.15) // 11 March 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (6.35) // 12 March 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (5.35) // 19 March 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (3.50) // 21 March 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (5.10) // 25 March 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (6.20) // 26 March 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (9.15) // 28 March 1943 - Middle East - Hudson (6.15) // 3 April 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (8.15) // 4 April 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (2.45) // 5 April 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (3.30) // 8 April 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (7.55) // 9 April 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (3.30) // 11 April 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (3.20) // 15 April 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (6.00) // 16 April 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (9.40) // 18 April 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (5.20) // 19 April 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (7.05) // 21 April 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (9.40) // 25 April 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (9.00) // 30 April 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (7.30) // 1 May 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (7.10) // 5 May 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (7.00) // 22 May 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (7.25) // 25 May 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (7.25) // 26 May 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (7.20) // 29 May 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (8.30) // 30 May 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (6.35) // 14 September 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (1.40) // 14 September 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (5.30) // 16 September 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (8.35) // 19 September 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (7.50) // 20 September 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (7.30) // 23 September 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (7.50) // 24 September 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (7.20) // 26 September 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (7.20) // 28 September 1943 - Middle East - Dakota (7.45 - this might have been 28 August 1943) // 6 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (4.15) // 7 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (5.20) // 10 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (6.20) // 11 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (5.55) // 13 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (7.05) // 15 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (6.25) // 17 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (4.00) // 19 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (2.25) // 20 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (5.40) // 21 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (5.10) // 23 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (4.50) // 24 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (3.00) // 25 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (2.30) // 26 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (5.10) // 27 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (7.20) // 28 April 1944 - Burma - Dakota (4.20) // 1 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (3.10) // 3 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (5.50) // 4 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (6.10) // 6 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (6.45) // 8 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (2.55) // 9 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (5.35) // 11 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (6.50) // 12 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (7.10) // 14 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (5.55) // 16 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (5.45) // 18 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (5.05) // 20 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (6.30) // 22 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (6.15) // 24 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (5.45) // 27 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (4.40) // 29 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (7.45) // 31 May 1944 - Burma - Dakota (5.45) // Total time: 544 hours 50 minutes // RCAF Press Release No.8834 dated 15 February 1945 from S/L Vic Baker, transcribed by Huguette Mondor Oates, reads: // WITH RCAF IN BRITAIN: -- We’ve gone a long way since those days when we used to kick anti-personnel bombs out of the escape hatch of ancient Bombay aircraft in support of the Eighth Army in the Middle East,” said F/L Arthur L. Brown, DFC, of Hawarden, Saskatchewan. // “That was the early type of inaccurate bombing which was used in the desert aerial warfare,” added the Canadian pilot with a RAF transport squadron. The Bombay is an obsolete, slow-flying aircraft with fixed, heavy undercarriage. // With 230 operational sorties to his credit, F/L Brown has chalked up 2,000 flying hours on operations from Britain, the Middle East, India and Burma. “We took part in the first organized paratroop show when we captured one of the Dodecanese Islands,” continued Brown who joined his squadron in the east as early as December 1942. While working with the Eighth Army from Tobruk to Cape Bon, these squadrons dropped ammunition, supplies paratroops, and hauled thousands of casualties back to hospitals, reported Brown. // Brown and his crew supplied Wingate’s expedition of Chindits during April, May and June of 1944 in India as the small band of men operating some 200 miles behind the Jap lines. Despite monsoons, treacherous weather and cloud-covered mountains, the airmen assisted the ground forces in cutting Jap communications, blowing up and capturing railways, bridges, attacking airfields, intercepting Jap supply columns. // “We had to be very careful in seeing that our limited supplies were dropped accurately on the small dropping-zones chosen by the troop columns,” said Brown. “We could not drop too much because the columns had to keep on the move and each man could handle only five days’ supply at the time on his back-sack. // “The most exciting operation came when we had to supply a band of starving troopers who had been besieged by Japs,” said Brown. “The Japs had captured the landing strip and forced the British column of a hundred men onto a nearby hill and surrounded them. They were short of food and ammunition and a signal by wireless came back to headquarters for help. Six Dakotas were briefed and I was placed in charge of the expedition,” recounted the Canadian airman. // “We located the marooned troopers quite easily but had to make many runs over the dropping area at very low-level to get rid of our supplies. The Japs were firing captured Bofors, machine-guns and rifles at us as we flew straight and level to be certain the needed ammunition and food landed around the small hill,” said Brown. The column escaped by night and joined another unit to continue to battle against the Japs. // All aircraft returned from that operation sieved with bullet-holes. Lord Louis Mountbatten sent a cable of congratulations on behalf of SEAC and Brown received the DFC for leading the successful mission. Brown explained that the RAF squadron with which he operated was the old transport unit in the East. Formed in 1918 on Victorias and Valencias, the squadron progressed to Bombays, Hudsons and Dakotas.

BROWN, F/L David Reid (J25969) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.424 Squadron - Award effective 1 December 1944 as per London Gazette dated 8 December 1944 and AFRO 337/45 dated 23 February 1945. Born 27 October 1920. Home in Fredericton; enlisted Moncton 4 March 1942. To No.5 Manning Depot, 19 March 1942. To No.5 Equipment Depot, 7 May 1942. To No.3 ITS, 4 July 1942; graduated and promoted LAC, 12 September 1942 but not posted to No.11 EFTS until 10 October 1942; may have graduated 4 December 1942 but not posted to No.5 SFTS until 27 December 1942; graduated and commissioned 30 April 1943. To \"Y\" Depot, Halifax, 14 May 1943; to RAF overseas, 22 June 1943. Repatriated to Canada, 21 December 1944. To Moncton, 31 January 1945. To No.1 Communication Squadron, 5 June 1945. To No.121 Squadron, 8 July 1945, being engaged in staff flying until 30 September 1946 when posted to No.4 (Composite) Flight. Released 14 November 1945. Died 23 December 1945. Award sent to family by registered mail 30 March 1949. No citation other than \"..in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations against the enemy...numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty.\" DHist file 181.009 D.2609 (RG.24 Vol.20627) has recommendation dated 15 September 1944 when he had flown 27 sorties (141 hours 50 minutes) from 31 May to 12 September 1944. On 18 August (Anderbelck) flak hit his port outer and the port tire; on 12 September 1944 (Dortmund) the port inner had been holed. Flying Officer Brown has proven himself to be a very resourceful pilot and an extremely capable Captain of aircraft. He has at all times given outstanding leadership to his crew and has set a high example for other Captains in his Flight. Flying Officer Brown has completed 27 sorties over enemy territory, some of which were carried out over heavily defended targets such as Stuttgart, Hamburg and Kiel. On all occasions he has displayed great courage and coolness in carrying out his duties... The sortie list was as follows: 31 May 1944 - Cherbourg (4.10) 5 June 1944 - Caen (4.45) 8 June 1944 - Mayenne (5.45) 9 June 1944 - Le Mans (5.45) 12 June 1944 - Arras (4.40) 15 June 1944 - Boulogne (4.15) 16 June 1944 - Sautrecourt (4.45) 21 June 1944 - Oisemont (5.20) 25 June 1944 - Gorenflos (4.40) 27 June 1944 - Wizernes (4.20) 28 June 1944 - Metz (7.10) 4 July 1944 - Villeneuve St. George (5.50) 18 July 1944 - Caen (4.50) 18 July 1944 - Wesseling (5.15) 24 July 1944 - L’Hey (3.35) 25 July 1944 - Suttgart (9.35) 28 July 1944 - Hamburg (5.50) 31 July 1944 - Foret de Croc (4.15) 3 August 1944 - Foret de Nieppe (4.15) 5 August 1944 - St. Leu d’Esserent (4.40) 16 August 1944 - Kiel (5.15) 17 August 1944 - La Rochelle (7.00) 18 August 1944 - Anderbelck (4.05, flak, port outer motor and port tire) 25 August 1944 - Brest (6.30) 6 September 1944 - Emden (4.30) 11 September 1944 - Le Havre (4.30) 12 September 1944 - Dortmund (6.20, port inner holed).

BROWN, F/L Douglas Arthur (J26128) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.408 Squadron - Award effective 15 March 1945 as per London Gazette dated 23 March 1945 and AFRO 765/45 dated 4 May 1945. Born 30 June 1923. Home in Sutton, Quebec; enlisted Montreal, 18 February 1942 when posted to No.5 Manning Depot. To No.31 OTU (guard), 27 March 1942. To No.5 ITS, 5 June 1942; graduated and promoted LAC, 1 August 1942 but not posted to No.13 EFTS until 26 September 1942; may have graduated 20 November 1942 but not posted to No.1 SFTS until 5 December 1942; graduated and commissioned 30 April 1943. To No.1 General Reconnaissance School, 14 May 1943. To “Y” Depot, Halifax, 7 August 1943; to Britain, 12 September1943. Repatriated 3 May 1945. Released 30 July 1945. Award sent by registered mail 6 May 1949. Died at Prescott, Ontario, 2 September 2009 as per Legion Magazine, “Last Post” column, March-April 2010. RCAF photo PL-40164 (ex-UK-16733 dated 21 November 1944) shows W/C Fred Gaffney (Brantford and Dartmouth), Beaver Base administration officer, showing new base badge to F/O A.D. Herbert (Montreal, bomb aimer) and F/O Doug Brown (Sutton, Quebec, pilot), both of Goose Squadron. Flight Lieutenant Brown has shown commendable courage, determination and devotion to duty throughout an operational tour. He has completed a large number of sorties against some of the most heavily defended targets such as Essen, Dusseldorf and Kiel. By his keenness and cheerful confidence he has set a sterling example to all his crew. On one occasion in October 1944, during an attack against Hamburg, one engine of his aircraft was rendered unserviceable. The propeller came off and fire broke out. Despite this, Flight Lieutenant Brown pressed on to the target which was successfully bombed. The aircraft was very difficult to control on the return flight and he ordered his crew to leave by parachute. With outstanding airmanship he succeeded in executing a masterly landing without further damage being sustained. DHH file 181.009 D.1510 has recommendation drafted 7 December 1944 by W/C F.R. Sharp when he had flown 23 sorties (113 hours); no sortie list: On 25th October 1944, when detailed to attack Homburg, Flying Officer Brown has extreme difficulty with two of his engines. His port outer engine eventually failed completely, and due to loss of oil pressure he could not feather that propeller with the result that the engine continued to turn over until it seized, at which time the propeller came off and fire broke out in the engine. Flying Officer Brown, despite this difficulty, pressed on in spite of the loss of pressure in his starboard inner engine and successfully bombed the target. On return to this country Flying Officer Brown, experiencing great difficulty in controlling the aircraft, bailed out his crew rather than risk them in what appeared would be a crash landing. He managed, however, to land his aircraft successfully and without damage. Flying Officer Brown has completed a large number of sorties against some of the most heavily defended enemy targets such as Wilhelmshaven, Essen, Dusseldorf and Kiel. His keenness in operations and cheerful disregard for any and all defences the enemy has to offer have made him an inspiration to his crew and an outstanding example to the other crews in the squadron. His fine operational record and complete disregard for any danger have been a credit to the squadron. Therefore I strongly recommend that Flying Officer Brown be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (Immediate).

BROWN, Sergeant George Arnold (R67580) - Mention in Despatches - Leeming - Award effective 14 June 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1600/45 dated 12 October 1945. Born 18 May 1913. Home in Windsor, Ontario; enlisted there 25 June 1940. Trained as an Armourer. Posted to \"B\" (exact site uncertain), 10 September 1940. Promoted AC1, 13 January 1941. To No.9 SFTS, 14 January 1941. Promoted LAC, 1 April 1941. Promoted Corporal, 1 October 1941. To No.9 BGS, 8 October 1942. To No.10 BGS, 13 October 1942. Promoted Sergeant, 1 November 1942. To \"Y\" Depot for overseas, 30 March 1944; to No.3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, 4 April 1944. Repatriated 2 September 1945. Released 12 November 1945. DHist file 181.009 D.2619 (RG.24 Vol.20628) has recommendation forwarded 1 February 1945 to No.63 Base HQ stating he had served 46 months in Canada, nine months in UK. This NCO is employed as NCO in charge of the Bomb Dumb at RCAF Station Leeming. Sergeant Brown is both capable and energetic and has carried out an extremely difficult task in a most efficient manner. His careful observance of safety regulations and his insistence on cleanliness and tidiness in his Section has definitely made for safety and efficiency at this unit. This NCO also has a thorough knowledge of his trade and is both cheerful and untiring. He has gone out of his way to improve his service knowledge and sets an example that is hard to equal. Sergeant Brown is definitely outstanding, well deserving and recommended for an award of Mention in Despatches.

BROWN, WO Gordon Frederick (R104757, later J89286) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.293 Squadron - Award effective 21 July 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2052/44 dated 22 September 1944. Born 20 May 1920 in Danville, Quebec; educated there to 1938 and Montreal Technical School, 1938-1941. Home in Danville. Member of 1/11 Hussars, Bishopton, Quebec, 1937-1938. Enlisted Montreal, 13 May 1941 and posted to No.1 Manning Depot. To No.1 Training Command, 27 June 1941. To No.3 ITS, 15 July 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 1 September 1941 when posted to No.4 EFTS; graduated 24 October 1941 when posted to No.9 SFTS; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 5 February 1942. To “Y” Depot, 28 February 1942; to RAF overseas, 19 March 1942; disembarked in Britain, 29 March 1942. To No.9 (Pilots) AFU, 2 June 1942 (Master, 13.50). To No.59 OTU, 23 June 1942 (Hurricane, 63.20). Promoted Flight Sergeant, 27 August 1942. To No.530 Squadron, 7 October 1942 (Hurricane, 39.05). To No.277 Squadron, 19 January 1943 (Spitfire and Walrus, 55.20). Promoted WO2, 27 February 1943. To No.284 Squadron, 20May 1943 (Walrus, 132.05, apparently all theatres). Embarked for North Africa, 4 June 1943; arriving Gibraltar 14 June 1943 and thence to Algiers, 26 June 1943. To Malta, 9 July 1943. To Cassible, Sicily, 27 July 1943. To Lentini East, 21 August 1943. Promoted WO1, 27 August 1943. To Lentini West, 6 September 1943. To Scanzano, 25 September 1943. To Gioia, 4 October 1943, To Brindisi, 14 November 1943. To No.283 Squadron, 20 February 1944. To No.293 Squadron, 10 April 1944 (Walrus, 42.45). Commissioned 25 May 1944. To United Kingdom, 4 September 1944. Repatriated 23 November 1944. Retired 13 April 1945. Died in Danville, Quebec, 6 March 1982 as per Legion Magazine of July 1981. Award sent by registered mail 7 December 1948. Cited with a FS C.S. Taylor (RAFVR, WOPAG, awarded DFM). Photos PL-PL-18521 and PL-18522 are dated 3 December 1943 and describe him as “pilot of an Air-Sea Rescue Walrus aircraft...has saved many lives from the sea. He recently took off from the water with seven men aboard.” PL-18523 is a Walrus, same date. // As pilot and wireless operator/air gunner respectively, Warrant Officer Brown and Flight Sergeant Taylor have completed many air-sea rescue sorties. Their steadfastness and courage in the face of numerous difficult and dangerous situations has won the greatest praise. // Public Record Office Air 2/9158 has recommendation drafted 18 June 1944 which noted he had flown 52 sorties and 109 hours 40 minutes operational time. // Warrant Officer Brown of No.293 Air Sea Rescue Squadron has been engaged on Air Sea Rescue work for fifteen months and has completed thirty operational sorties. During this time he has been personally responsible for the rescue of thirty aircrew from the sea, and for directing the rescue of twelve others. Many of the rescues have been effected in enemy waters and beyond the enemy lines, and others have been made under very difficult conditions. // On one occasion Warrant Officer Brown found a dinghy near the enemy coast and landed to rescue the pilot. In spite of fire from Flak ships nearby he closed in, picked up the airman, and took off again successfully. Close to the Italian coast, before landings were made in that country by the Allied forces, a further successful rescue was achieved in the face of strong fire from shore batteries. On June 4th, 1944, Warrant Officer Brown carried out an extensive search near Civitavecchia and finally located a dinghy within half a mile from the enemy shore. He unhesitatingly landed, in spite of being well within range of enemy coastal guns, took aboard the pilot, and brought him safely back to base. // This Warrant Officer has always shown great courage and coolness in the face of danger, and has never permitted difficulties or the proximity of the enemy to stand in the way of rescuing his comrades in distress. He has shown complete disregard for his own safety on these and many other occasions, and when under fire has always completed his rescues successfully. // I strongly recommend Warrant Officer Brown for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. // Note: The corresponding recommendation for a DFM to Flight Sergeant Cyril Sidney Taylor (80 sorties, 140 hours 15 minutes) read as follows: // Flight Sergeant Taylor commenced his tour on Night Intruder work over France and Belgium. In February 1943 he started Air Sea Rescue work, and since then has taken part in 72 Air Sea Rescue Operations. He has, while flying with Warrant Officer Brown and other pilots, played a great part in the rescue of 24 persons, and directing the rescue of 18 others. On one occasion a dinghy was sighted off the enemy coast, and his aircraft landed to pick up the distressed pilot. Fire was opened on then from Flak ships, but while Warrant Officer Brown manoeuvred the aircraft, Flight Sergeant Taylor, quite undaunted, played his part in catching the dinghy and helping the pilot aboard. On another occasion, again with Warrant Officer Brown, a dinghy was found off the Italian coast, before that country was invaded. This time shore batteries fired on the Walrus, but again Flight Sergeant Taylor helped the distressed airman aboard, and a successful rescue was made. // On June 4th, 1944, Warrant Officer Brown and Flight Sergeant Taylor carried out an extensive search off Civitavecchia. The dinghy was found half a mile from the enemy shore. The aircraft landed, and in spite of being well within sight and range of the enemy, another pilot was rescued and brought back to safety. // At all times when a rescue has been made, beyond enemy lines, under fire from the shore, and in rough and difficult sea conditions, Flight Sergeant Taylor has shown a very steady nerve in the face of danger. He has done splendid work in taking distressed and injured pilots and other aircrew from dinghies. By his magnificent team work with Warrant Officer Brown, his pilot, he shares the successes of the rescues achieved. I strongly recommend this Non-Commissioned Officer for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal. // Norman Franks, in Beyond Courage: Air Sea Rescue by Walrus Squadrons in the Adriatic, Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian Seas, 1942-1945 (London, Grub Street, 2003) lists the following rescues involving him: // 27 July 1943 - with No.284; second pilot to Sergeant D.J. Lunn, crewman Warrant Officer N. Pickles - Walrus X9506 - 1645 to 1945 hours - Lieutenant D.E. Harwood, 65th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group saved. // 24 September 1943 - with No.284 Squadron - crewman was Flight Sergeant J.W. Bradley - Walrus W3012 - 1114-1400 hours - rescued G.L. Wilson, F.O J.G.K. Maxwell, Flight Sergeant R.H. Ward, Sergeant H. Lidgett, RSM Ryan and Sergeant Major Devine. // 4 April 1944 - with No.293 Squadron - crewman Flight Sergeant C.S. Taylor - Walrus Z1813 - 0630 hours, taxied back by 1110 hours - rescued crew of five of No.40 Squadron - Flight Sergeant L.J. Redden (RAAF), F/L L.J. Gillespie, Flight Sergeant W.R. Black, Sergeant L. Carey, Sergeant J.P.A. Whitlock. // 6 April 1944 - with No.293 Squadron - crewman Flight Sergeant C.S. Taylor - Walrus Z1813 - 1630-2035 hours - recued six survivors of a B-24, 761 Bomber Squadron, 460 Bomb Group, in company with Motor Torpedo Boats. Saved were First Lieutenant F. Smith, F/O H. Mansdorf, Second Lieutenants B. Budriunas, J. Schwartz, Sergeants H. Wilson and H. Breckenridge. // 20 April 1944 - with No.293 Squadron - crewman Flight Sergeant C.S. Taylor - Walrus Z1813 - 1210 to 1500 hours - Flight Sergeant H.E. Eaves, RAAF, No.450 Squadron, southeast of Ancona (Eaves had been downed on 3 April and rescued by another crew of No.293 Squadron). // 3 May 1944 - with No.293 Squadron - crewman Flight Sergeant C.S. Taylor - Walrus P5718 - 1105 to 1430 hours - rescued Lieutenants Rutter and Manhart, Staff Sergeant Schneider, 484 Bomb Group. // 6 June 1944 (although citation suggests 4 June 1944)- with No.293 Squadron - crewman Flight Sergeant C.S. Taylor - Walrus Z1813 - 1335 to 1515 hours - Lieutenant G.A. Bell, 84 Fighter Squadron, 79 Fighter Group saved. // Notes: Application for Operational Wing dated 5 October 1944 stated he had flown 83 sorties (153 operational hours), 4 June 1943 to 16 August 1944. // On repatriation form dated 2 November 1944 he stated he had flown 83 sorties (155.05 operational hours), the last on 7 September 1944. Had also flowm 193 non-operational hours. // Training: Interviewed in Montreal, 1 May 1941 by F/O J.R.O. Gibeault. “Straightforward, smart, good education and character and good family background; keen, very good material.” // Course at No.3 ITS was 27 July to 1 September 1941. Courses in Mathematics (83/100), Armament, practical and oral (61/100), Signals (90/100), Hygiene and Sanitation (37/40), Drill (65/100) and Law and Discipline (39/60). Placed 75th in a class of 265. “Pleasant, mature, confident. Slow talker. Dependable. Serious.” // Course at No.4 EFTS was 1 September to 24 October 1941. Fleet Finch aircraft - 28.00 dual, 26.55 solo. Was five hours on instruments and spent ten hours in Link. “Progress has been good during his flying training, but seems to be more suited for twin engine. Instrument flying good.” (D.B. McPherson). Ground courses in Airmanship (173/200), Airframes (91/100), Engines (83/100), Signals, practical (75/100), Theory of Flight (60/100), Air Navigation (121/200), and Armament, oral (159/200). Rated 133/200 in Qualities as NCO/Officer. Placed 12th in a class of 26. “Near appearance, friendly and pleasing personality. Irresponsible, unstable, does not regard service seriously enough.” Nevertheless, he twice violated Station Standing Orders in respect of flying (19 October 1941) and was awarded 168 hours detention. // Course at No.9 SFTS was 27 October 1941 to 27 February 1942. Harvard aircraft - 49.05 day dual, 43.30 day solo, 2.50 night dual, 9.20 night solo. Was 22.20 on instruments and logged 20 hours in Link. “Progress slow at first but seemed gradually to improve, Good instrument flier. 62 percent in Link.” Ground courses in Airmanship and Maintenance (71/100), Armament, written (65/100), Armament, practical (44/100), Navigation (93/100), Meteorology (29/50), Signals,, written (43/50) and signals, practical (75/100). Placed 66th in a class of 67. “Below average student. Slow to grasp knowledge. Conduct and deportment good.” // Course at No.9 (Pilots) AFU was 2-22 June 1942. Master aircraft - 9.15 day dual, 3.45 day solo, 50 minutes night dual. // Course at No.59 OTU was 26 June to 6 October 1942. Flew 6.50 dual and 63.50 solo. Was 4,55 on instruments. Flew 25 hours in formation. “A very good pilot who is also steady and reliable.” // RCAF Press Release No. 2882 dated 6 October 1943 from “MacGillivray” reads: // TARANTO, ITALY: -- If you’re picking the unsung heroes of the Air Force, don’t forget the Walrus boys, probably the most unpublicized, unglamourized lads who ever wore wings. You’d understand how difficult it is to make popular heroes of these chaps if you could see the kite they fly. It’s been called “the flying bird-cage”. It awakens nostalgic memories in the breasts of last war pilots. It’s a big, ponderous amphibian biplane with that rarity, a pusher engine. It stages into the air like an aged duck, and lurches along at maybe 100 miles an hour. Its fire-power is insignificant, and it’s probably the only operational kite in the Royal Air Force that has never – so far at least as this recorder can learn --- shot anything down. It looks and sounds like a museum-piece. But it isn’t. In its own specialized field, the Walrus is one of the most valuable, indispensable and irreplaceable aircraft in service. It has done one of the most consistently excellent jobs of any kite since the war began, defying all competitors and confounding all critics of its archaic design. // The Walrus is the back-bone of the RAF Air-Sea Rescue Service ---the service that picks pilots out of the brink where nothing else either air-borne or sea-borne could reach them. And gives them dry clothes and first-aid, and whisks them back to fight again. Thus, it restores to the RAF maybe $50,000 worth of pilot, and deprives the Luftwaffe of a possible source of information. // One of the few Canadians piloting a Walrus in this theatre of war is Sergeant Gordon Brown of Danville, Quebec, a 23-year-old former Technical High School student. Like other Walrus pilots, Brown looks longingly at Spitfires, and dreams of someday getting back on fighter ops. But meanwhile, he confesses a grudging fondness for the ungainly-looking machine on which he is building up his hours and adding to his list of rescues. // “The queerest case I’ve had since the Italian campaign began,” says Brown, “was when we dragged a chap out of his rubber dinghy off Sicily, only to discover that he was a German fighter pilot. If he’d pulled his gun as soon as we got him aboard, it might have been awkward. But he was too busy shaking hands with us, in his delight at being saved. On the way back to base, we had to force-land in a vineyard, and it was then that our prisoner showed his Prussian colours. He refused to walk with us to the nearest military camp, and insisted on being taken on a vehicle. He was a choice example of the Hun with the officer-complex.” // Brown’s most genuinely appreciative “customer” was an American pilot whom he fished out of the brink early in the Sicilian campaign. The U.S. maintains no parallel of the RAF Air-Sea Rescue Service in this part of the world at least, and depends on the British for picking up its “dunked” air-crew. // “This Yank”, says Brown, “was really thankful. His name was Lieutenant Harwood, but I don’t know where he lived. Anyhow, it so happened that within a few days, our bunch picked up three others of his squadron. Next thing we knew, along came an invitation to a special dinner party given by the Yank squadron to our lads as a gesture of appreciation. “One look at the menu was enough to make your mouth water, and after weeks of bully beef we could hardly wait for the big night. Then, as tough luck would have it, I had to go out on a job, and I missed the feed. But anyhow, it was a nice thought.” // The hazards of Walrus-flying are great, not only because of the purely nominal armament of the big, slow biplane, but because once having landed and taken on its load of from one to four men plus its own crew, the rescue kite may have difficulty getting off again, particularly in rough water. So intrepid are its pilots, however, that one Walrus recently went to within 300 yards of the enemy coast to pick up a British lad from his dinghy, and snatch him from under the very noses of the Huns. Yet Walrus casualties are surprisingly low. The work is unusual, comes in streaks, and offers a type of excitement all its own, combing the thrills of flying, power-boating and life-saving. And, as Brown says, “it gives you a special kind of satisfaction to know that you’re not just saving lives, but you’re saving valuable trained manpower for the war effort”.

BROWN, F/O Gordon William (C8674) - Member, Order of the British Empire - No.2 Air Command Headquarters - Award effective 13 June 1946 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 660/46 dated 5 July 1946. Born 9 March 1908. Home in Winnipeg. Enlisted in Alberta, 16 November 1941 in Administrative Branch. Flying Officer as of 13 December 1941 when posted to No.12 SFTS. To No.23 EFTS, 8 November 1942. To No.11 SFTS, 21 April 1943. To No.7 ITS, 6 January 1944. To No.2 Training Command, 7 February 1944. To No.8 Repair Depot, 15 October 1944. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 January 1945. Retained in RCAF as of 1 October 1946 (19860) with No.2 Air Command. Reclassified in Legal Branch, Special List, 1 April 1948. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 January 1949. Award presented 1 December 1948. This officer has served in the Administrative Branch since November 1941, where he has displayed administrative ability of the highest order. During the past two years he has worked chiefly in legal work with outstanding results, his various investigations requiring long hours of overtime. The zeal and energy he has displayed in all his duties are worthy of the highest praise.

BROWN, F/O Harold Thomas (J13055) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.419 Squadron - Award effective 25 September 1943 as per London Gazette dated 28 September 1943 and AFRO 2198/43 dated 29 October 1943. Born 17 February 1922. Home in Biggar, Saskatchewan; enlisted Saskatoon, 16 July 1941. To No.2 Manning Depot, 14 August 1941. To No.3 BGS (guard duty), 25 September 1941. To No.2 ITS, 9 November 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 17 January 1942 when posted to No.19 EFTS; may have graduated 30 March 1942 but not posted to No.10 SFTS until 11 April 1942; graduated and commissioned, 31 July 1942. To No.34 OTU, 15 August 1942. To “Y” Depot, 30 December 1942; to RAF overseas, 4 January 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 31 January 1943. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 February 1944. Repatriated 2 August 1945. Retired 18 September 1945. Invested with award by the King 11 August 1944. RCAF photos PL-28383 (ex UK-9277) and PL-28384 (ex UK-9278), both dated 28 March 1944, show him as a Flight Lieutenant and deputy flight commander in No.419 Squadron. Photo PL-32517 (ex UK-13817 dated 23 August 1944) is a portrait. // One night in August 1943, this officer piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Nuremburg. Although one engine of the bomber failed early on the outward flight, Flying Officer Brown continued to the target and bombed it successfully. Some nights later this pilot again flew with distinction on an operation against Berlin. On both occasions he displayed great determination and devotion to duty. // RCAF Press Release No.5036 dated 15 May 1944 from: P/O Fred Jackson, transcribed by Huguette Mondor Oates, reads: // WITH THEE RCAF BOMBER GROUP OVERSEAS: -- Rated as one of his unit’s top skippers, F/L Harold Brown, DFC, of Biggar, Saskatchewan, can now look back at a completed tour of operations that took him over most of the major targets “pranged” by the Moose squadron since last August. // The Saskatchewan pilot has been five times over Berlin, twice over hot spots such as Frankfurt, Mannheim and Hanover and has also left his visiting card on places like Pennemunde, Nuremburg, Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Magdeburg and Leipzig. All of that adds up to a busy tour for F/L Brown and his crew. The DFC came on his fourth trip over Nuremburg when the starboard outer quit cold 45 minutes outside of the target and the Moose squadron Halifax kept on going, bombs finally being dropped from 9000 feet as against the average height of the night of between 17,000 and 18,000 feet. // Never hit by a German fighter, F/L Brown’s aircraft has been tossed into violent evasive action nevertheless. Twice, while attacking Hanover on eighth and tenth trips, Jerries cut in, intent on business on the bombing runs but were successfully evaded. Another time with Dusseldorf the target, the crew saw tracer going by as their bomber corkscrewed to get away from an attack. // The Nuremburg trip wasn’t the only one on which F/L Brown came home on three engines. Once, while helping prang Berlin and just after the bombing run, an engine conked out and then again while coming home from Frankfurt, the port inner quit halfway on the run back to England. // Twenty-two years of age, F/L Brown joined the RCAF in June, 1941, won his wings at Dauphin a year later and arrived overseas January 25, 1943. He did all his flying on four-engined Halifaxes hooking up with the Moose squadron August 10, 1943.

BROWN, F/L Hugh John Alexander (C8050) - Mention in Despatches - Headquarters, Mediterranean Allied Air Forces - Award effective 1 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 337/45 dated 23 February 1945. Born 7 November 1919. Home Toronto; enlisted there 4 April 1941 as Radio Mechanic. To No.1 Manning Depot, 27 April 1941. To University of Toronto, 23 May 1941. Commissioned 30 August 1941. To Trenton, 17 September 1941. To No. 31 Radio School, 17 October 1941. Promoted Flying Officer, 1 March 1942. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 25 November 1942. Date of overseas posting uncertain; repatriated 8 August 1945. To No.1 Air Command, 17 August 1945. To Mountain View, 17 September 1945. To Release centre, 14 October 1945; retired 22 October 1945. Certificate sent 13 August 1948. No citation BROWN, S/L Hugh John Alexander (C8050) - Mention in Despatches - Overseas - Award effective 1 January 1946 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 322/46 dated 29 March 1946. No citation.

BROWN, WO Jack Allen (R63935) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.57 Squadron - Award effective 4 October 1943 as per London Gazette dated 19 October 1943 and AFRO 2457/43 dated 26 November 1943. Born 13 March 1919. Reported to be American in the RCAF (home in Buffalo, New York) but nationality on enlistment given as Canadian. Enlisted Toronto 15 April 1940. To No.1 ITS, 29 April 1940; promoted LAC, 24 May 1940 and posted to Brantford Flying Club. To No.1 AOS, 24 June 1940; to No.1 BGS, 15 September 1940. Graduated 28 October 1940) when promoted Sergeant. Posted elsewhere, 28 October 1940; to No.1 ANS, 12 November 1940. (graduated 7 December 1940). To No.3 Manning Depot, 10 December 1940. To RAF overseas, 14 December 1940. Commissioned 6 October 1943 (J19055). Repatriated 19 April 1944. To No.1 AOS, 31 May 1944. To No.168 (Heavy Transport) Squadron, 4 August 1944. To Release Centre, 21 March 1946. Released 27 March 1946. Award sent by registered mail 13 November 1948. This Warrant Officer has participated in a large number of operations. His exceptional ability in his duties has ensured outstanding success on many missions. He has displayed marked keenness in the use of astro navigation and on several occasions he has used this method when no other means were available to achieve a successful flight back to base. Throughout his operational duties Warrant Officer Brown has displayed great eagerness to assist inexperienced navigators and has thereby been invaluable in raising the standard of navigation in the squadron.

BROWN, F/L James Albert (J19704) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.408 Squadron - Award effective 5 February 1945 as per London Gazette dated 16 February 1945 and AFRO 563/45 dated 29 March 1945. Born 25 July 1912. Home in North Bay; enlisted there 4 June 1941 and posted to No.4A Manning Depot. To No.18 Equipment Depot, 15 July 1941. To No.3 ITS, 23 August 1941; promoted LAC, 23 September 1941 and posted that date to No.21 EFTS; to No.9 SFTS, 23 November 1941; graduated 10 April 1942 and promoted Sergeant. To \"Y\" Depot, 11 April 1942. To No.4 WS, 28 April 1942; to No.12 EFTS, 27 August 1942; to No.4 AOS, 31 January 1943. To ?Y? Depot, 18 February 1943; to No.1 SFTS, 24 February 1943. Full card not copied so many postings missing. Commissioned 8 January 1944. Retained in postwar RCAF as Flight Lieutenant, 1 October 1946. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 January 1952. Final release date uncertain. Award sent by registered mail 30 March 1949. RCAF photo PL-40047 (ex UK-16352 dated 11 November 1944) is captioned as follows: \"Flight Sergeant D.H. Cook, Toronto, inspects shrapnel damage on the bomber skippered by F/L J.A. Brown, Cobalt and North Bay (right). They have both just finished their first tour with the Goose Squadron of the RCAF bomber group in Britain.\" No citation other than \"completed...numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty.\" DHist file 181.009 D.1515 (RG.24 Vol.20600) has recommendation dated 8 November 1944 when he had flown 32 sorties (144 hours ten minutes), 18 April to 23 October 1944. Flight Lieutenant Brown has completed an operational tour as pilot on four engined bombers in a most exemplary manner. He has on many occasions attacked successfully such heavily defended targets deep in Germany as Dortmund, Sterkrade, Duisburg and Essen. He has at all times shown a cheerful disregard for any defences the enemy had to offer, pressing home his attacks successfully, and returning to base with excellent photographs of the target attacked. In his capacity as Deputy Flight Commander, Flight Lieutenant Brown has proved himself to be a fine leader, and by his fine operational record has been an inspiration to the men under him. On one occasion, just after becoming airborne on an operation, the leading edge of his aircraft blew open. By extreme skill, Flight Lieutenant Brown successfully landed his aircraft, saving the lives of his crew. This officer\'s fine operational record and his long standing services to the squadron are worthy of the highest praise. Therefore, I recommend that he be awarded the Non-Immediate Distinguished Flying Cross. The sortie list was as follows: 18 April 1944 - Noisy-le-Sec (4.45, second pilot) 20 April 1944 - Cologne (4.40, second pilot) 1 May 1944 - St. Ghislain (4.00) 19 May 1944 - Franceville (4.15) 22 May 1944 - Dortmund (4.30) 24 May 1944 - Aachen (4.40) 31 May 1944 - Au Fevre (3.45) 2 June 1944 - Neufchatel (3.55) 6 June 1944 - Contances (3.45) 8 June 1944 - Mayenne (5.40) 12 June 1944 - Cambrai (4.30) 16 June 1944 - Sterkrade (4.25) 17 June 1944 - Oisemont (4.15) 4 July 1944 - Villeneuve St. George (5.35) 5 July 1944 - Siracourt (4.15) 7 July 1944 - Caen (4.05) 18 July 1944 - Wesseling (5.15) 14 August 1944 - Bons Tassilly (4.20) 16 August 1944 - Kiel (4.55) 25 August 1944 - Brest (4.20) 27 August 1944 - Mimoyecques (3.15) 28 August 1944 - L’Hey (3.30) 3 September 1944 - Volkel (3.15) 8 September 1944 - Le Havre (3.55) 9 September 1944 - Le Havre (4.15) 16 September 1944 - Boulogne (4.15) 25 September 1944 - Calais (4.10) 6 October 1944 - Dortmund (6.30) 12 October 1944 - Wanne Eickel (5.05) 13 October 1944 - Duisburg (5.20) 14 October 1944 - Duisburg (5.35) 23 October 1944 - Essen (5.15)

BROWN, F/L John Thomas (C14913) - Mention in Despatches - No.122 Squadron (Canada) - Award effective 21 April 1945 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 802/45 dated 11 May 1945. Born 12 August 1917. Home in Winnipeg; enlisted there 30 September 1940 and graded as Elementary Flying Instructor. Initially on strength of No.7 Equipment Depot. To No.14 EFTS, 12 December 1940. Promoted Sergeant, 14 December 1940. Granted Leave Without Pay for several months in early 1942 but commissioned, 1 July 1942. To No.6 SFTS, 9 October 1942. To No.123 Squadron, 14 January 1943. To No.163 Squadron, 16 March 1943. To Western Air Command, 6 August 1943. To No.122 Squadron, 27 September 1943. To Station Patricia Bay, 4 February 1944. To No.115 Squadron, Patricia Bay, 16 March 1944. To No.2 Technical Signals Unit, 11 January 1945. To No.10 Repair Depot, 1 September 1945. To Release Centre, 30 April 1946. Released 6 May 1946. Died in Toronto, 5 May 2008. This officer has rendered outstanding service in many appointments in the Royal Canadian Air Force. In his present position as flight commander of a target towing flight, he has produced excellent results and has shown skill, organizing ability and devotion to duty of an exceptionally high standard. BROWN, F/L John Thomas (C14913) - Air Force Cross - No.2 Technical Signals Unit (now No.10 RD) - Award effective 1 January 1946 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 82/46 dated 25 January 1946. Award sent by registered mail 21 March 1956. As of recommendation he had flown 3,112 hours, 1,500 as instructor, 270 in previous six months. This officer possesses a wide background of employment in the Royal Canadian Air Force during which he has displayed commendable skill as a pilot, and untiring devotion to duty. Lately, as Chief Radar Calibration and Test Pilot, he has been called upon to endure long hours of flying at high altitudes, often under adverse weather conditions. His keenness, adaptability and fine example which he sets for his fellow countrymen are worthy of high praise. NOTE: This same officer was the subject of a letter dated 20 November 1945 from A/V/M K.M. Guthrie (AOC No.2 Air Command) to the CO, No.10 Repair Depot (DHist file 181.009 D.1630, PAC RG.24 Vol.20603) requesting that the Brown's logbook be endorsed for the following: "This officer was detailed for a mission to fly some sick Indians from Norway House to The Pas for hospitalization. On the 30th October F/L Brown flew Canso 11010 from Winnipeg to Norway House, landing in the clear water of Little Play Green Lake. The weather was extremely cold and a channel had to be broken through the ice along the shoreline by motor boat before the aircraft could taxi in and out from the dock. On reaching The Pas the water in the landing gear, wheels and oleo legs had frozen solidly and on touching down one wheel would not revolve. By means of opposite brake and engine the pilot kept the aircraft straight. Although one tire was torn completely of the wheel, the landing run was complete safely. "Following this, extreme difficulty was encountered due to intense cold and freezing rain. Facilities at The Pas were totally inadequate, there being no tools or heated hangars for servicing the aircraft. Flight Lieutenant Brown and his crew, by means of perseverance and resourcefulness, overcame these difficulties, and after several days of arduous work flew the aircraft back to Winnipeg safely. "This officer displayed exceptional skill, resourcefulness and initiative, both in flying the aircraft and in servicing it afterwards, which resulted in the mission being completed successfully without injury to passengers and without any damage to the aircraft other than the loss of one tire."