BROWN, F/O (now F/L) Joseph Alfred (J17884) - 9th USAAF - Air Medal with Two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters - effective 10 March 1945 as per Canada Gazette dated 4 May 1946 and AFRO 473/46 dated 10 May 1946. Born 20 November 1919. Home in Sarnia, Ontario; enlisted in London, Ontario, 23 October 1940. To No.1 ITS, 13 January 1941. Promoted LAC, 20 February 1941 and posted to No.1A Manning Depot that date. To No.1 WS, 30 March 1941. To No.6 BGS, 16 August 1941; promoted Sergeant, 15 September 1941. To Embarkation Depot, 16 September 1941. To RAF overseas, 6 October 1941. Commissioned 30 December 1942. Repatriated, 31 July 1943. To No.34 OTU, 29 September 1943. To Station Patricia May, 17 March 1944. To No.5 OTU, 31 March 1944. To Release Centre, 12 September 1945. Released 14 September 1945. No citation or explanation. Announced in General Order No.2 dated 5 January 1945, Headquarters of USAAF, Middle East, Cairo, \"he having participated in five operational missions, each of more than 2 1/2 hours duration\"

BROWN, FS Kenneth William (R94567) - Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) - No.617 Squadron - effective 23 May 1943 as per London Gazette dated 28 May 1943 and AFRO 1187/43 dated 25 June 1943. Born in Moose Jaw, 20 August 1920; home there; enlisted in Regina, 20 February 1941. To No.2 Manning Depot, 15 March 1941. To No.36 SFTS (guard duty), 2 May 1941. To No.2 ITS, 9 June 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 26 July 1941 when posted to No.6 EFTS; graduated 12 September 1941 when posted to No.4 SFTS; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 5 December 1941. To “Y” Depot, 8 December 1941. To RAF overseas, 8 February 1942. First flew overseas in No.44 Squadron. Commissioned with effect from 20 April 1943 (J17550). Promoted Flying Officer, 20 October 1943. Stayed with No.617 Squadron to May 1944. Injured 26/27 May 1944 while piloting Lancaster W4383 at No.5 Lancaster Finishing School. Took off at 2311 hours from Syerston for dual circuit practice at night. At 0136 he landed atop another of the unit’s Lancasters which had moved onto the runway and was not seen until it was too late. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 14 February 1945. Repatriated 14 May 1945. Postwar RCAF (20101), retaining Flight Lieutenant rank. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 June 1952. Served as Commanding Officer, Winter Experimental Establishment (Edmonton) until July 1949 when posted to staff duties, Toronto, In 1950 to Officers Selection Board, Londoon. In March 1952 appointed Commanding Officer, RCAF Communication Flight, Trenton. To No.408 Squadron, Rockcliffe as Flight Commander, 1954. Married to Beryl Brown for 57 years with children Terry, Mason, David, Brock and Leslie. Lived in White Rock, British Columbia where he died on 23 December 2002. RCAF photo PL-19325 (ex UK-4333 dated 30 June 1943) shows Warrant Officer C.E. Brown (Moose Jaw, left) with his brother, recently commissioned P/O K.W. Brown following investiture. RCAF photo PL-19327 (ex UK-4335 dated 30 June 1943) taken following investiture of personnel taking part in famous “Dams Raid”; front row are F/L J.C. McCarthy, Long Island, F/O D.R. Walker of Blairmore, Alberta, W/C Guy Gibson, P/O George A. Deering of Toronto, and P/O H.T. Taerum of Calgary; back row is P/O K.W. Brown of Moose Jaw, Sergeant S. Oancia of Stonehenge, Saskatchewan, and P/O D.A. McLean of Toronto. Photo PL- 19328 (ex UK-4336 dated 30 June 1943) taken on same occasion but different arrangement - front row are Walker, Deering and Taerum; back row are McCarthy, Brown, Oancia and MacLean. Photo PL-36280 is a portrait. NOTE: This was the Dambusters Raid; DSO to F/L J.C. McCarthy, Bar to DFC to F/O D.R. Walker, DFCs to F/Os T.H. Taerum and G.A. Deering, DFM to FS D.A. Maclean and Sergeant S. Oancia - all with the following citation: On the night of the 16th May, 1943, a force of Lancaster bombers was detailed to attack the Moehne, Eder and Sorpe dams in Germany. The operation was one of great difficulty and hazard, demanding a high degree of skill and courage and close co-operation between the crews of the aircraft engaged. Nevertheless, a telling blow was struck at the enemy by the successful breaching of the Moehne and Eder dams. This outstanding success reflects the greatest credit on the efforts of the above mentioned personnel who participated in the operation, in various capacities as members of aircraft crew.

BROWN, PO Lloyd William (J14864) - Commended for Valuable Services - No.7 Bombing and Gunnery School - Award effective 28 May 1943 as per London Gazette of that date, Canada Gazette dated 2 June 1943, and AFRO 1459/43 dated 30 July 1943. Born in Winnipeg, 26 February 1913. Enlisted in Winnipeg 21 August 1940. To Eastern Air Command, 15 September 1940. To No.1 ITS, 11 October 1940; graduated and promoted LAC, 16 November 1940 when posted to No.11 EFTS; graduated 5 January 1941 when posted to No.9 SFTS; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 26 April 1941. To \"P\", 6 May 1941. To No.7 BGS, 3 July 1941. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 1 December 1941. Promoted WO2, 1 May 1942. Commissioned 11 August 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 11 February 1943. To \"Y\"? Depot, 23 August 1944. Taken on strength of No.3 PRC, 29 August 1944. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 September 1944. Repatriated 2 August 1945. Retired 20 August 1945. This officer has served at this unit for the past 19 months as a staff pilot. Pilot Officer Brown is conscientious and reliable and carries out all duties assigned to him in a very capable manner. His total flying time is 930 hours of which 597 were completed during 1942.

BROWN, W/C Mannifrank (C1267) - Mention in Despatches - Overseas -Award effective 8 June 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1729/44 dated 11 August 1944. Born 27 August 1908 in Winnipeg (RCAF press release 4910 announcing OBE). Civil pilot before the war. Claimed some 6,000 hours (1,000 on light aircraft, 1,500 on “medium” aircraft and 3,500 on “heavy” aircraft. Home in Lac du Bonnett, Manitoba. Enlisted at Camp Borden, 3 October 1939 as General List. Took Flying Instructor Course, 16 November to 9 December 1939. To Trenton, 12 December 1939. Took an Advanced Training Course, 14 December 1939 to 20 January 1940. This entailed Oxford aircraft (4.10 day dual, 16.45 day solo, 1.10 night dual, 3.00 night solo) plus Harvard (35 minutes day dual, 1.55 day solo) and Battlle aircraft (25 minutes day dual, 1.55 day solo). “Above average pilot. No faults.” To Camp Borden, 20 January 1940. To No.2 SFTS, 27 July 1940. To AFHQ, 11 March 1941. Squadron Leader as of 15 June 1941. To St. Hubert, 1 September 1941. At No.7 SFTS as of 13 December 1941. Promoted Wing Commander, 1 July 1942. To No.45 (Air Transport) Group, 25 June 1943. Overseas as of 29 June 1943. Detached to Redhill, 2-22 July 1943. To No.127 Wing, 22 July 1943. To RCAF Overseas Headquarters, 12 July 1944. Repatriated 27 November 1944. To No.5 Release Centre, 25 April 1945. Retired 26 April 1945. Died 3 March 1959. No citation to MiD. RCAF photo PL-19887 (ex UK-5457 dated 7 October 1943) shows three officers with a Sherman tank - W/C Mannifrank Brown (Winnipeg, described as former bush pilot), W/C Hugh Godefroy (Toronto) and G/C W.R. MacBrien (Ottawa). // BROWN, W/C Mannifrank (C1267) - Officer, Order of the British Empire - No.127 Wing - Award effective 1 January 1945 as per AFRO 132/45 dated 26 January 1945. Award presented 22 September 1945. No citation to OBE in Canadian sources. Public Records Office Air 2/8872 has recommendation. // Wing Commander Brown commanded No.127 (RCAF) Wing for twelve months prior to the landing in Normandy on D Day. He has always displayed the greatest enthusiasm and devotion to duty, and has provided an excellent example for the whole of his unit, which has maintained an extremely high standard of efficiency. Early on in the operations this officer landed in France and established his unit on one of the first airfields to be operated there. Wing Commander Brown's service has been of a highly meritorious nature. // BROWN, W/C Manifrank, OBE (C1267) - French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star - formerly Overseas - awarded as per Canada Gazette dated 20 September 1947 and AFRO 485/47 dated 12 September 1947. Pilot. External Affairs file “French Awards to Canadian Armed Forces - Particular Cases” (Library and Archives Canada, RG.25, Box 4140) has the following citation: // This officer commanded the first British airstrip laid down in Normandy at Brazenville. His efforts and power of command contributed greatly to the efficiency of operations in the Normandy campaign. // Notes: His flying overseas was limited. On repatriation form dated 21 November 1944 he claimed only 15 sorties and 15 operational hours (last sortie on 20 June 1944) plus 60 training hours overseas. // In a letter dated 14 October 1944 he described his career and reasons for seeking to resign his commission: // Prior to joining the service my occupation was that of a transport pilot operating in Northern Canada, during which time I acquires certain interests in mining, furs and other businesses in the North Country. For the first two or three years of my five yeas absence other people attempted to take care of my interests but I have been advised that this assistance is no longer available, and if anything is to be salvaged from pre-war investments it is desirable that I return as soon as possible. If permission to retire is granted in the near future, then my position in civilian life will be assured. // My career in the service has been as follows: after joining the service in 1939 immediately after the outbreak of war, I spent three years and eight months in BCATP in Canada. Following that I was posted to the Second Tactical Air Force in UK as an Airfield Commander and held that post for 13 months, during which period I commanded one of the first two Wings to move into Normandy. In August of this year I was appointed Senior Operations Officer as this Headmasters in London, and am at present filling that post. // If the exigencies of the Service will not be impaired by the release of an officer in my circumstances, I trust that this application will meet with your approval. // Selected Assessments: Evaluated as Flying Instructor, Camp Borden, 18 July 1940. Tested on an Anson for the following - Sequence (Very Good), Voice (Excellent), Manner (Above Average), Ability to Impart Knowledge (Above Average), Ability as Pilot (Above Average). Category A-2 granted. “A very competent instructor - recommended as a CFS Instructor.” (S/L G.P. Dunlop). // Evaluated as Flying Instructor, No.13 SFTS, 27 October 1941 when he had flown 500 instructional hours. Tested on a Harvard for the following - Sequence (Average), Voice (Clear), Manner (Confident), Ability to Impart Knowledge (Above Average), Ability as Pilot (High Average). Category raised from A-2 to A-1. “This instructor was tested in a Harvard and presented flying demonstrations in a capable fashion. Knowledge of flying training and ability as squadron commander warrant the highest category.” (S/L William M. Foster, No.2 Visiting Flight, Central Flying School). // “A capable officer - handles men well. Gained considerable experience in command of a station during the absence of the CO, No.7 SFTS, on a course in England. Should do well overseas.” (A/V/M G.R. Howsam, No.4 Training Command, 15 June 1943). // “The Fighter Wing which W/C Brown has commanded for the past twelve months has been outstandingly successful against the enemy. W/C Brown is a very keen officer possessing sound common sense. Of a quiet but pleasant personality, he is liked by all ranks whose welfare he keeps always in mind. He has proved himself to be a very good commander. His departure on the upgrading of his post is a loss to the group.” (Air Commodore A.H. Montgomery, 15 August 1944) // RCAF Press Release No. 2729 dated 9 September 1943 from “Kelly” reads: // The day of Canada’s bush pilot, famed in colorful stories and pictures around the world, will probably be ended by the gigantic civil aviation development of the post-war years, in the opinion of a former bush pilot, Wing Commander Mannifrank Brown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, who, at 35, is Officer Commanding an RCAF station in the United Kingdom. He is one of the group of bush pilots who were appointed to the RCAF in the first month of the war to teach fledgling war birds of Canada and the Empire. // For years before the war, Canada, with its vast space and small population, led the world in the amount of freight hauled by air. It was a record which was scarcely realized by residents of cities and towns along the southern fringe of the Dominion, but which was part of the day-to-day lives of the traders, miners, prospectors and other inhabitants of the scattered communities in the rich northern areas. Hundreds of Indians and Eskimos, who never have seen a railway train, or tram car or automobile, have flown casually in airplanes piloted in to the hinterland by bush pilots. // “I think the day of the bush pilot as a man who carried his own down sleeping bag in his plane with him, ready to sleep out in the open or in some trapper’s shack, or at a trading post, will disappear in the stupendous aviation development which is foreseen for Canada, the Empire and other parts of the world,” said W/C Brown, who holds the record for having flown more hours in one year than any other bush pilot. // That was in 1936 when he rolled up 1216 flying hours and was recommended for the McKee trophy given annually to an outstanding bush pilot. He had flown more than 6,000 hours in the ten years preceding the outbreak of war and has flown another 1,000 hours as an instructor in the R.C.A.F. // Each time speeding Spitfires drop their wheels out of the wings to land at the airfield where W/C Brown is now stationed, he is reminded that from 1932 until the outbreak of war, he never saw an airplane with wheels. He rolled up his thousands of hours in the air in planes equipped with floats or skis; floats for landing in the summer on any one of northern Canada’s innumerable small lakes and rivers, or skis for landing in the winter months on snow or ice. When he made his record flying total in 1936, the year of the big forest fires in Ontario, he was flying from dawn to dusk in the three or four summer months, freighting fire-fighters and fire-fighting equipment, as well as a great assortment of mining equipment into the north country. // “Bush pilot” air lines contracted for air freight as casually as rail or ship or truck companies and agents contracted with their customers. Many mines have been developed and mining towns built with all modern conveniences in the centre of bush lands with every pound of freight taken to the sites by bush pilots in great “air trucks”. After the mines have been successfully developed, roads have been carved into the wilderness and paved; railways have shot in spur lines. But all the development work was first made possible by the bush pilot. // All bush pilots were invited by telegram at the outbreak of war to enlist immediately in the R.C.A.F., and many of them did so. W/C Brown received two telegrams; one addressed to him under his registered Christian name, Mannifrank, which has been handed down in his family for several generations, and the other addressed to him as Frank, by which he was known wherever bush pilots gathered. W/C Brown, who had his commercial pilot’s license when he was 21, was not taking a chance. He replied to both telegrams, accepting the invitations to Mannifrank and to Frank. His “Mannifrank” reply was accepted and he was posted October 1, 1939, as flying officer to teach fledgling pilots at Camp Borden, Ontario, then to Uplands as flight lieutenant when that station was opened near Ottawa in July 1940; he was assigned in March, 1941, to help organize and open Service Flying Training Schools. He was promoted to squadron leader and placed in charge of this work in July, 1941, and at the end of the year was posted to No.7 SFTS at McLeod, Alberta where he was promoted to wing commander in July, 1942. He was posted overseas in June, 1943. // His wife and three-year-old daughter live 60 miles north of Winnipeg at Lac du Bonnet, which, like many settlements in northwestern Canada, carries a French name but has no French inhabitants. It was named by the colorful French voyageurs, daring and adventurous explorers who travelled and traded west, south and north from Quebec during the eighteenth century when Canada was a French Colony. The voyageurs have disappeared, their lakes and rivers in the north have been since 1919 the landing places of their successors-in-spirit, the bush pilots. Now their day is waning in turn, W/C Brown believes.

BROWN, P/O Murray Walker (J93604) - Mention in Despatches - Overseas - Award effective 28 December 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 155/46 dated 15 February 1946. Born 22 December 1916. Home in Toronto; enlisted there 19 September 1940. To Prince Rupert Detachment, 20 October 1940. To No.2 ITS, 20 December 1940; graduated and promoted LAC, 8 February 1941; posted next day to No.14 EFTS. Ceased training and posted to No.2 Manning Depot, 22 March 1941; to No.3 AOS, 28 April 1941; graduated 21 July 1941 when posted to No.5 BGS; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 1 September 1941; posted on 2 September 1941 to No.1 ANS; graduated 30 September 1941 when posted to Embarkation Depot. To RAF Trainee Pool, 18 October 1941. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 1 June 1942. Missing in action with No.35 Squadron (Halifax W1117), 16 June 1942 (Prisoner of War). Promoted WO2, date uncertain; promoted WO1, 1 March 1943. Commissioned 1 March 1944. Promoted Flying Officer, 1 September 1944. Reported safe in United Kingdom, 8 May 1945. Repatriated 8 July 1945. Released 3 September 1945. Certificate sent 12 September 1949. ...for distinguished service while [prisoner] of war. Public Records Office Air 2/9104 dealing with awards for services in German POW camps includes a letter from Regimental Sergeant-Major S. Sherriff who wrote, in part: I respectfully beg to place on record my deep appreciation of the loyalty and support accorded me in my capacity as Camp Leader at Stalag VIII B (later 344) of the under-mentioned Warrant Officers... Warrant Officer W.W. Brown, RCAF, R72283... Warrant Officer M.W. Brown was employed directly under men as one of my office staff. At all times energetic and willing, there was never a more loyal working companion. Attached to his POW Questionnaire was a statement that he had been held at a hospital on s\'Hertzogenbusch, Holland (17 June to 15 August 1942), Dulag Luft Oberusel (16-26 August 1942), Stalag 344, Lamsdorf, Silesia (28 August 1942 to 5 March 1945), Stalag 13D, Nuremberg (9 March to 13 April 1945) and Stalag VIIA, Mooseburg (19 April to 7 May 1945) although he stated that his actual liberation dated from 29 April 1945 and effected by the American Third Army. To this was appended the following statement. The reference to \"Sergeant Pals\" means Sergeant Laurens Klass Pals, Canadian Intelligence Corps, captured at Dieppe and awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal, 15 June 1946 (see Canadian Army awards data base). At Stalag 344 I started to help on the Escape Committee when Sergeant Cue, RAF, left for Sagan about December 1942. He was the man in charge of escape for the Air Force section. Sergeant Pals of the Canadian Army started to organize the whole camp under one committee and made a good job of it. I worked with him as a member of the committee representing the Air Force. In March 1943 I discovered that I was under suspicion so resigned from the committee and was replaced by Sergeant Harrison, RAAF. For the rest of my stay in Stalag 344 I worked in the office of the Camp Leader. I assisted 15 or 20 men with what information and supplies I had, which wasn\'t very much. I interrogated new arrivals to get the latest information from the United Kingdom and pass it to the people who could use it. I learned about the \"Stettin Route\" from a Sergeant Thomas, BEF and passed it to a Corporal and a Lance Corporal in the British and New Zealand armies. The website \"Lost Bombers\" gives the following on his being shot down: Halifax W1117 (TL-S), target Essen. Airborne at 2303 hours, 16 June 1942 from Linton-on-Ouse. Shot down by a night- fighter (Oblt Reinhold Knacke, 1./NJG1) and crashed 0230 hours onto land owned by Mr Van Hees at Bijsterveld (Noord Brabant), 1 km NE of Wintelre and roughly 8 km WNW from Eindhoven. Crew were Flight Sergeant A.E.Hammond RCAF (killed), Sergeant R.E.Gay (killed), Flight Sergeant M.W.Brown, RCAF (POW), Sergeant J.R.Jones (killed), Sergeant G.W.Brown (killed), Sergeant C.F.Goode (killed), Sergeant S.H.Woolley (killed). DHH file 181.001 D.24 has his \"Loss of Aircraft\" questionnaire states he had flown seven sorties (this was his eighth); he was navigator. Narrative (not especially coherent) as follows: Airborne 2230 hours on 16 June 1942. Were to bomb Essen, if 10/10 cloud by G. If broken at Bonn to bomb there. Cloud was 9/10 approximately and we approached to Essen and bombed. At 0230 hours approximately six minutes from Dutch coast attacked by Me.110. German info. Attacked from below. Second attack followed closely on first. Rear Gunner shouted over inter com but indistinct and not understandable. On second attack pilot ordered jump and then inter com broke down. Bomb Aimer was sick in rest position but when I passed chute to him he was OK. To best of my knowledge no one was hit. Pilot held aircraft steady. As WOP would not jump when I had cleared hatch and as rest of crew, i.e Engineer, Bomb Aimer and mid-upper were behind stepping down, I left rather than cause further delay. I do not know why others did not get out. Did not see or hear aircraft crash. Weather was cloudy. Hit between Vessom and Hertugenbusen. Notes: Out of front hatch. Jettisoned cover and boat. Landed unconscious, broke left ankle and received concussion. Believed through lack of oxygen.

BROWN, F/L Norman Fenton (J24433) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.428 Squadron - Award effective 3 October 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2637/44 dated 8 December 1944. Born 25 April 1916. Home in Moskow, Saskatchewan; enlisted Winnipeg, 9 May 1940. To No.1 ITS, 27 May 1940; graduated and promoted LAC, 22 June 1940 although he had been posted the previous day to No.1 EFTS; graduated 16 August 1940 when posted to No.1 SFTS; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 28 November 1940. To Trenton that date. To No.9 SFTS to instruct, 19 January 1941. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 1 December 1941. To No.6SFTS, 31 May 1942. Promoted WO2, 1 June 1942. To No.9 SFTS again, 15 September 1942. To “Y” Depot, 24 January 1943. Commissioned 1 March 1943. To RAF overseas, 8 March 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 1 September 1943. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 22 May 1944. Repatriated 13 January 1945. To No.2 Air Command, 28 January 1945. To No.6 Release Centre, 13 May 1945; retired 21 May 1945. Award presented 1 December 1948 although reports indicate he had died in Aurora, Ontario, 16 May 1948. // Flight Lieutenant Brown has recently completed a tour of operations during which he has attacked many heavily defended targets in Germany, including Berlin on five occasions. His efficiency and courage have been outstanding and he has on numerous occasions made more than one run over the target to press home his attack to the full. On one occasion he was detailed for a minelaying mission. When some distance from the target area on the return journey, it was discovered that not all the mines had been released. Displaying great determination and devotion to duty, Flight Lieutenant Brown returned to the target and completed his task successfully. // DHist file 181.009 D.1634 (RG.24 Volume 20604) has recommendation by W/C W.A.G. McLeish dated 25 July 1944 when he had flown 38 sorties (243 hours three minutes), 22 October 1943 to 6 June 1944: // Flight Lieutenant Brown has completed one tour of operations during which he attacked many of the enemy’s major targets including five trips to the German capital. His determination and devotion to duty have been outstanding and he has several times made more than one run over the target to press home his attack to the full, with the result that very satisfactory results were usually achieved. On one occasion during a minelaying operation, when well away from the dropping area on the way back to base, the bomb aimer’s check revealed that not all the mines had been released, He immediately went back, making another run and ensuring that all the mines were dropped in the right area. // For the completion of a very satisfactory tour of operations I recommend the immediate award of the DFC. // The sortie list was as follows: // 22 October 1943 - Kassel (6.30, second pilot) // 3 November 1943 - Dusseldorf (6.24) // 19 November 1943 - Leverkusen (3.52, duty not carried out) // 22 November 1943 - Berlin (8.12) // 25 November 1943 - Frankfurt (8.29) // 3 December 1943 - Leipzig (8.50) // 29 December 1943 - Berlin (9.00) // 6 January 1944 - Gardening (8.10) // 20 January 1944 - Berlin (8.31) // 28 January 1944 - Berlin (9.05) // 2 February 1944 - Gardening (6.20) // 5 February 1944 - Gardening (7.00) // 15 February 1944 - Berlin (8.53) // 19 February 1944 - Leipzig (7.05) // 24 February 1944 - Gardening (7.08) // 4 March 1944 - Gardening (6.07) // 6 March 1944 - Trappes (6.11) // 7 March 1944 - Le Mans (5.37) // 13 March 1944 - Le Mans (6.20) // 16 March 1944 - Amien (5.37) // 18 March 1944 - Gardening (5.34) // 29 March 1944 - Paris (6.05) // 30 March 1944 - Gardening (5.18) // 9 April 1944 - Lille (4.45) // 12 April 1944 - Gardening (5.00) // 18 April 1944 - Gardening (6.45) // 20 April 1944 - Gardening (5.05) // 22 April 1944 - Laon (5.35) // 23 April 1944 - Gardening (6.30) // 26 April 1944 - Villeneuve (6.20) // 27 April 1944 - Gardening (4.05) // 9 May 1944 - Gardening (5.50) // 11 May 1944 - Boulogne (4.05) // 21 May 1944 - Gardening (4.40) // 24 May 1944 - Trouville (4.45) // 27 May 1944 - Gardening (4.40) // 3 June 1944 - Gardening (3.25) // 5 June 1944 - Merville (5.25) // 6 June 1944 - Coutances (5.50)

BROWN, Sergeant Ormond Mark (R82918, later J93470) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.433 Squadron - Award effective 13 October 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2534/44 dated 24 November 1944. Born 13 May 1905. Home in Ottawa (government employee); enlisted there 14 February 1941 as General Clerk and posted to No.1 Manning Depot. To Trenton, 8 March 1941. Promoted AC1, 14 March1941. To Ottawa Recruiting Centre, 19 April 1941. Promoted LAC, 1 October 1941. Promoted Corporal, 1 December 1941. Promoted Sergeant, 1 July 1942. To AFHQ, 5 July 1943. To No.2 SFTS, 25 August 1943. Remustered to aircrew for Air Gunner training, and posted to No.9 BGS, 17 September 1943; graduated 10 December 1943. To “Y” Depot, 15 January 1944. To No.4 Aircrew Graduate Training School, 18 January 1944. To “Y” Depot again, 11 February 1944. Taken on strength of No.3 PRC, 5 March 1944. Commissioned 18 October 1944. Repatriated 7 February 1945. To No.1 Air Command, 18 February 1945. To No.16 SFTS, 8 April 1945. Promoted Flying Officer, 18 April 1945. Retired 1 May 1945. Cited with F/O Raymond H. Simpson (RCAF pilot, awarded DFC) and Sergeant Russell E. Budd (RCAF, awarded DFM). RCAF photo PL-41001 (ex UK-16572 dated 16 November 1944) shows him removing covers from his guns at an airfield in England. RCAF photo PL-40085 (ex UK-16581 dated 16 November 1944) is captioned as follows: “Both these gunners from the Porcupine squadron were awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for the part they played in helping to get their Halifax bomber to England after the elevator and rudder control rods were shot away by flak during an attack on enemy territory. FS O.M. Brown, the rear gunner, Ottawa, on the left is talking over the effect of these 500-lb bombs with the mid-upper gunner, FS R.E. Budd, Hamilton. Once safely back over England the entire crew was forced to bale our due to the damage inflicted on the Halifax.” Incident occurred 4 August 1944, HX275 (433/S); recommendations submitted to Station Skipton-on Swale, 18 August 1944; see DHist file 181.009 D.2988 (RG.24 Vol.20633) which also has a very long report by Simpson on the incident. Brown had flown ten sorties (50 hours 50 minutes) when recommended. Award presented 2 December 1946. // In August 1944, Flying Officer Simpson was captain of an aircraft detailed for a daylight attack on Bois de Casson. When leaving the target his aircraft was heavily hit by anti-aircraft fire. The bomber went into a steep dive and Flying Officer Simpson found the controls useless, but after ordering the crew to prepare to abandon aircraft, he regained control by the skilful use of his throttles and ailerons. It was then discovered that the control rods to the elevator and rudders had been severed in three places. Under Flying Officer Simpson's directions Sergeants Brown and Budd effected skilful temporary repairs and by pulling and pushing as the broken end of the controls enabled Flying Officer Simpson to fly the bomber back to this country where the crew abandoned the aircraft by parachute. These members of aircraft crew displayed great fortitude, skill and determination. // DHH file 181.009 D.2611 (Library and Archives Canada RG.24 Volume 20627) has original recommendation drafted by S/L H.T. Patterson, 19 August 1944, when he had flown ten sorties (50 hours 50 minutes): // On August 4th, 1944, this NCO was rear gunner in aircraft “S” HX-275 captained by Flying Officer Simpson which attacked Bois de Casson. When leaving the target the aircraft was heavily hit by flak, rendering the elevator and rudder controls useless. The aircraft went into a dive but was finally pulled out by the captain and Sergeant Brown uncovered the controls to find them severed in three places. With great resourcefulness he discovered that by pushing and pulling on the controls, he and the Mid-Upper Gunner could make them effective, and maintain their position in the Bomber Stream. He then decided to try and effect repairs with spare aerial wire and, after much difficulty managed to join the ends of the control columns. This wire kept breaking almost as fast as they could rewind it, but he doggedly kept up his effort until the aircraft had passed over the English Coast, although nearly exhausted by the continual strain of keeping the controls functioning; at that time he told the captain that all the wire was used up and the last repair job was beginning to give way so it was decided to abandon the aircraft. // I consider that the successful completion of this operational flight was due to the sustained courage and unusual initiative of this NCO and in every way fully merits the immediate award of the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying). // NOTE: DHist biographical file has news stories that describe the incident. Aircraft was bombing V-1 site in Pas de Calais area when hit hard (nose holed, bomb aimer wounded) by predicted flak. Brown left his turret and found severed control columns; he was able to work them by hand and was helped by Sergeant Budd. Brown then used spare wireless aerial to lash controls together but the wire kept breaking. The gunners became exhausted but lasted log enough to get the bomber to Britain. // RCAF Press Release No.6129 dated 9 August 1944 from F/L H.W. Eggleston, transcribed by Huguette Oates, reads: // WITH RCAF BOMBER GROUP OVERSEAS: Operating the flak-smashed control columns by hands, two gunners were instrumental in getting their Porcupine Squadron Halifax back to Britain where the entire crew bailed out safely. // The rear gunner was Sergeant O.M. Brown, of Ottawa, Ontario (68 Cartier Street), while the mid-upper was Sergeant R.E. Budd, of Hamilton, Ontario (122 ½ Kenmore Blvd), and the pilot was Flying Officer R.H. Simpson, of North Battleford, Saskatchewan. The remainder of the crew were also Canadians with the exception of the flight engineer, a member of the RAF. // The Halifax of RCAF Bomber Group had just unloaded its cargo on a flying bomb site in the Pas de Calais area in France when it was caught in flak – doubly dangerous because it was predicted fire. First the pilot discovered the nose had been holed by ack-ack shells. Then the navigator reported the bomb aimer was wounded in the face and both hands. The aircraft went into a dive. The skipper ordered the crew to bail out but told them to stand by when he found he could keep the plane’s nose up by increasing speed. He then discovered the controls were useless and ordered a check for possible breaks. // Sergeant Brown left his rear turret and found the aircraft had been holed badly in the middle of the fuselage with both control columns severed. The Ottawa gunner discovered he could work the controls by pushing and pulling them by hand. With the help of Sergeant Budd, the mid-upper gunner, he kept the controls working. Then Sergeant Brown used a spare wireless aerial to lash the ends of the controls together but the wire kept breaking. By the time the wire was used up, the gunners, being exhausted by their work, the aircraft was over Britain. F/O Simpson ordered the crew to bail out. All landed safely, the wounded bomb-aimer being taken to hospital while the wireless operator hurt his foot slightly on landing. The bomber itself crashed in a field, finishing up against a house but without injuring anyone. // RCAF Press Release No. 8626 dated 6 February 1945 from F/O George Sinclair, transcribed by Huguette Mondor Oates, reads: // WITH RCAF IN BRITAIN: -- Heroic presence of mind in a smashed, uncontrollable bomber over enemy territory earned the immediate award of the DFM for Flight Sergeant O.M. Brown, of Ottawa, Ontario, (68 Cartier. After its pilot had given up hope of getting the big Halifax back to Britain and had warned the crew to prepare to bail out, Brown, the tail-gunner, discovered the trouble and effected emergency repairs which brought the bomber back over Britain. There the crew safely bailed out. // Now on his way home after completing his operational tour with the RCAF Bomber Group in Britain, Brown told the story at an RCAF repatriation depot. The big bomber was struck by heavy flak just as it was dropping its bombs on a Paris railway yard last summer, he revealed. A great hole was torn in its nose and the bomb-aimer was injured. At one, it went into a steep dive towards earth. The pilot called out that the machine was uncontrollable and told the crew to put on their parachutes, but at 14,000 feet it levelled out. // // Wearing their parachutes and expecting that at any moment the bomber would dive to earth, the crew searched up and down the fuselage for breaks in the control rods. They could find no sign of trouble. Mentally tracing the rods from the pilot’s seat to the tail control surfaces, Brown felt sure the break must be beneath the rest bed--- the only place that couldn’t be visually checked. Leaving his turret, he crawled forward and hacked at the bed with an emergency axe. Clearing away the debris, he did find the break he suspected. Calling for wire, he set to work cutting notches in the broken ends of the rods. The wireless operator reeled in his trailing aerial and Brown wound it around the notched rods while the mid-upper gunner pulled them to relieve the strain. Once more, the bomber could be steered and kept level. The pilot set course for Britain, but, in a few minutes, the aerial wire broke and the big machine once more began to stagger about the enemy sky. // “All the way across France the wire kept breaking and Budd and I kept winding more wire on and pulling the rods to ease the strain,” Brown related. Control of the machine was still loose and inaccurate, so the crew knew it could not be safely landed. “When we crossed the English Coast at Folkestone, the skipper told us bail out, but I wanted a cigarette,” Brown went on. “I asked Budd, the mid-upper gunner for one, but his were under his flying clothes. I told the skipper to wait a minute, I was going back to my turret to get my cigarettes, but Budd said he’d give me one as soon as we got down and he got his flying kit off, so we got out,” the air-gunner recounted. “I was picked up a few minutes after landing. An Air Commodore from a nearby airfield had seen our parachutes coming down. The first member of the crew I saw was Budd, so we had that cigarette.” // Before joining the RCAF, Flight Sergeant Brown worked with the Topographical Surveys Branch of the Dominion Government. He intends to return there upon leaving the service.

BROWN, F/L Raymond Alexander (J21136) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.438 Squadron. Award effective 3 September 1945 as per London Gazette dated 14 September 1945 and AFRO 1672/45 dated 2 November 1945. Born in Toronto, 10 June 1923. Home in Toronto. Worked as a shipyard rivet passer, 1940, and store clerk, 1940-1941. Enlisted in Toronto, 4 November 1941. To No.1 Manning Depot, 7 December 1941. To No.1 SFTS (guard), 21 December 1941; to No.5 ITS, 14 March 1942; graduated and promoted LAC, 9 May 1942 but not posted to No.13 EFTS until 6 June 1942; graduated 31 July 1942 and posted next day to No.2 SFTS; graduated and commissioned 20 November 1942. To “Y” Depot, 4 December 1942; to RAF overseas, 13 December 1942. Disembarked in United Kingdom, 29 December 1942. To No.5 (Pilots) AFU, 20 April 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 20 May 1943. To No.59 OTU, 8 June 1943. To No.182 Squadron, 21 August 1943. To No.143 Wing, 14 February 1944. To No.439 Squadron, 29 February 1944. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 20 November 1944. To No.83 GSU, 2 March 1945. To No.438 Squadron, 7 March 1945. Left Germany, 19 July 1945. Repatriated 7 August 1945. To Mountain View, 17 September 1945. Retired 16 October 1945. In postwar RCAF Supplementary Reserve but no active service; released from that reserve, 1 June 1957, retaining rank of Flight Lieutenant. RCAF photo PL-28788 (ex UK-9847 dated 27 April 1944) shows him. Died in Stratford, Ontario, 19 January 1982 as per Legion Magazine of August 1982. Award sent by registered mail 28 June 1949. This officer has completed a second tour of operational duty. On one occasion he was forced to leave his aircraft by parachute over the Channel. This did not deter him from continuing to fly with keenness and he returned to operations immediately. In August, 1945 [sic], his aircraft was badly damaged during a particularly hazardous armed reconnaissance flight. He landed successfully, despite a serious shrapnel wound in his leg. Flight Lieutenant Brown has inflicted much damage on the enemy\'s lines of communication. His courage and devotion to duty have always been of the highest standard. Notes: Graduated 19th in a class of 113 at No.5 ITS. Graduated 8th in a class of 30 at No.l3 EFTS (Fleet Finch, 33.25 day dual, 32.40 day solo, 4.00 night dual - of this, 7.55 on instruments.) Logged 10.30 in Link. “Very keen, athletic, intelligent and well disciplined.” Had taken 13.40 dual to first solo. Graduated tenth in a class of 59 at No.2 SFTS (Harvard, 69.30 day dual, 108.10 day solo, 5.55 night dual, 12.20 night solo - of this, 13.50 in formation and 30.25 on instruments). Logged 25.15 in Link. Had needed 5.05 dual before going solo. “A high average pupil in all respects. Appearance and bearing good. Likeable and courteous. Quiet, reserved nature. Level headed, dependable. A very good type. Recommended for commissioned rank.” Report from No.59 OTU was for course of 8 June to 20 August 1943. Flew Master and Hurricane aircraft (1.55 dual, 49.30 solo by day, 1.45 solo by night; nine hours in formation, one hour on instruments); also logged nine hours in Link. Fired 2,750 rounds air-to-air and 128 rounds air-to-ground. “An above average pilot who has shown great keenness throughout the course. His formation flying is very good. Dusk and night flying practices were both satisfactorily carried out. This officer will undoubtedly be an asset to any squadron.” (CFI signature illegible, dated 1 September 1943). Application for 1939-1945 Star stated his first mission with No.182 Squadron had been 23 August 1943. Application for Operational Wing dated 17 April 1945 stated he had flown 15 sorties with No.182 Squadron (23 September 1943 to 22 February 1944) and 50 sorties with No.439 Squadron (22 February to 18 August 1944). Assessment dated 29 February 1944 stated he had flown 79 hours with No.182 Squadron. “Flying Officer Brown has shown himself to be a most capable and reliable pilot and his general bearing has been most excellent,” (F/L R.T. Wise); “A keen pilot. Has always shown willingness and enthusiasm in performing his duties.” (W/C B.G. Carroll). Baled out in English Channel, 23 June 1944. On 18 August 1944, flying Typhoon MN375, hit by flak which damaged engine and mainplane; salvageable. He suffered a penetrating shell wound to the right knee and brought to No.50 Mobile Field Hospital. This was his 65th or 67th sortie. “Foreign body” removed on 25 September 1944; discharged to Convalescent Home, 25 October 1944. Assessment dated 29 June 1945, at which time he had flown 671 hours 30 minutes (94.35 in previous six months). “Both in the air and on the ground he has been cool and level headed and has been a very capable flight commander.” (F/L P. Bissky, concurred in by G/C A.D. Nesbitt). Undated application for Pacific service stated he had flown a total of 100 sorties.

BROWN, F/O Roy Allen (J26705) - American Distinguished Flying Cross - No.100 Squadron - Award effective 15 May 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1127/45 dated 6 July 1945. Born 8 January 1911. Home in Edmonton; enlisted there 25 March 1942. To No.3 Manning Depot, 29 April 1942. To No.4 ITS, 15 August 1942; graduated and promoted LAC, 9 October 1942 and posted next day to No.2 AOS; ceased training and posted to No.1 Ccomposite Training School, 9 December 1942; to No.5 BGS, 8 January 1943; graduated 17 April 1943 when posted to No.2 AOS again; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 28 May 1943. To \"Y\" Depot, 11 June 1943; to United Kingdom, 29 June 1943. Commissioned 28 May 1944. Promoted Flying Officer, 28 November 1944. Repatriated 28 February 1945. To Northwest Air Command, 19 April 1945. To No.10 Construction and Maintenance Unit, 27 August 1945. Retired 18 October 1946. DHist file 181.009 D.3053 (RG.24 Vol.20634) has text of citation taken from USAF General Order 92 dated 14 November 1944. For extraordinary achievement while serving as bombardier in many precision attacks on well defended targets in close support of the Allied armies. Flying Officer Brown\'s accurate bombing has contributed in a large measure to the destruction of many vital enemy objectives. His courage and skill reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

BROWN, F/L Wallace Hilton (J6844) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.407 Squadron (deceased) - Award effective 5 June 1944 as per London Gazette dated 20 July 1945 and AFRO 1453/45 dated 14 September 1945. Born 13 February 1908. Home in Amhurst, Nova Scotia; enlisted Moncton, 22 March 1940 for General Duties and posted to Trenton. Promoted AC1, 22 June 1940. Promoted LAC, 22 September 1940. To No,1 ITS, 28 November 1940 and reverting to AC2. To No.1 WS, 3 February 1941. Promoted LAC, 1 April 1941; to No.6 BGS, 21 July 1941; graduated and commissioned, 18 August 1941. To “Y” Depot, 19 August 1941; to RAF overseas, 22 September 1941. Promoted Flying Officer, 18 August 1942. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 18 August 1943. Killed in action 6/7 June 1944 (Wellington HQ149). No known grave; commemorated on Runneymede Memorial. Award presented to next-of-kin, 2 December 1946. RCAF photo PL-28142 (ex UK-8745 dated 17 March 1944) shows F/O W.H. Brown (WOPAG) and F/O E.A. Muise (pilot). // Flight Lieutenant Brown, now on his second tour of operational duty, has taken part in a large number of anti-shipping and anti-submarine patrols. During his second tour two submarines were attacked. An excellent gunnery leader, this officer has been of great value in training less experienced crews and has set them a fine example by his keenness for operational flying and his gunnery skill. // NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/9016 has recommendation dated 3 May 1944 when he had flown on 35 shipping strikes and 29 anti-submarine patrols. Flying time given as 616 hours 35 minutes of which 374 hours were operational. Described as Gunnery Leader in unit: // This officer completed his first tour on shipping strikes with this squadron during which time he took part in 35 sorties for a total of 110 hours. Following his rest period of eleven months in which he acted as an instructor in Training Command, he returned to his former squadron for his second tour on anti-submarine patrols. Since joining his squadron he has homed on four submarines resulting in two sightings and two attacks (N/407, Bay of Biscay, December 2nd, 1943, UBat Report Number Chivenor/UBat/10, and A/407, Western Approaches, March 11th, 1944, UBat Report Number Limavady/44/7). One of these homings was outstanding, being from 14 miles in a very rough sea. Through his keenness for operational flying and skill in gunnery, wireless and SE [Special Equipment ?] homing, he has been an inspiration and of great value in the training of younger crews. // This was approved by the Station Commander, Chivenor, 5 May 1944, by the Air Officer Commanding, No.19 Group on 26 May 1944, and by the Air Officer Commanding, Coastal Command, 7 June 1944.

BROWN, FS (now WO1) Wilfred David (R86267) - American Purple Heart - No.112 Squadron (deceased) - effective 27 July 1943 as per Canada Gazette dated 4 May 1946 and AFRO 473/46 dated 10 May 1946. Born 13 October 1919 in Hamiota, Manitoba. Home in Brandon, Manitoba; enlisted Winnipeg 2 January 1941 and posted to No.2 Manning Depot. To No.7 AOS (guard), 27 January 1941. To No.2 ITS, 5 March 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 8 April 1941 when posted to No.18 EFTS; may have graduated 9 June 1941 but not posted to No.10 SFTS until 21 June 1941; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 1 September 1941. Posted overseas 2 September 1941; on strength of RAF overseas, 22 October 1941. Attended No.52 OTU. Posted to No.72 Squadron, but after five weeks he was sent to Middle East. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 1 March 1942; WO2, 1 September 1942; joined No.112 Squadron in October 1942; promoted WO1, 1 March 1943. Killed in action 19 September 1943 while serving with No.112 Squadron (Kittyhawk FR860, GL-D, shot down by flak). Christopher Shores, Those Other Eagles, provides the following list of claims, all with No.112 Squadron: 31 October 1942, two Junkers 87s destroyed near El Daba (Kittyhawk FR211); 4 November 1942, one Bf.109 damaged, Fuka area (Kittyhawk FR266; Messerschmitt believed to have been a Bf.109G-2 of 8/JG77 flown by Lieutenant Heinz Ludeman, wounded but regained base. Bf.109 later captured by advancing Eighth Army and shipped to England where it has, in recent years, been restored to flying condition); 11 December 1942, one Bf.109 probably destroyed and one Bf.109 damaged, Marble Arch area (Kittyhawk FR255). Public Records Office Air 2/9599 has letter dated 23 May 1943 with details. // This officer requests that consideration be given on the recommendation of Flight Sergeant Wilfred D. Brown, R86267 (Canadian), 112 Squadron (RAF), the award of the Purple Heart, as a result of being wounded by enemy fire in his tour of operational duty in the Western Desert on the 11th of December. // Incident: Bottom cover to two Tack-R [sic] Hurricanes with the 66th Fighter Squadron as top cover over Marble Arch area, and ensuing air battle with defending ME.109s between the hours of 15.:10 and 17:10, 11th December 1942. // Flight Sergeant Brown piloting one of twelve P-40s on a Tack-R mission noticed four ME.109s following the flight while crossing the Agheila line and continued their way out to sea. It was soon observed that his formation was being attacked from the rear. Although he could have avoided combat, he immediately did a turn-about and found he was looking into the cannon of an ME.109 which was firing directly at him. Due to his courage and airmanship he shot down one of the attackers. Thinking he had completely run [out] of ammunition, he sighted another aircraft of his squadron, but while overtaking it he ran into two ME.109s. The enemy aircraft chased him toward the shore and while doing so the enemy anti-aircraft fire opened to [sic] him causing him to turn away, whereupon the two ME.109s attacked him from above and below. The explosive shell hit him on the head and a piece of his aircraft was blown into his shoulder. After the attack was broken off, Flight Sergeant Brown noticed his petrol was low, and in spite of the injuries he had received he landed the airplane at Nagrum and had the shrapnel and piece of aircraft removed from his head and shoulder. // RCAF Press Release dated 1 February 1943 from F/L MacGillivray reads: // AT AN AERODROME BEYOND TRIPOLI: -- After quick recoveries from almost identical wounds received in similar circumstances on different days during the Eighth Army’s great push, two RCAF Kittyhawk pilots are back with their RAF desert squadron, taking part in daily straffing and dive-bombing attacks behind Rommel’s lines. // So weak from loss of blood that he had to use oxygen to retain consciousness on the way home, Flight Sergeant Wilfred Brown of Virden, Manitoba, struggled back to base with cannon-splinters in his back and shoulder; while in the other case, Sergeant Dick DeBourke of 36 Floral Street, Newton Highlands, Boston, Massachusetts, shot down two Stukas and probably destroyed another before he was wounded in the shoulder by an Me.109 – the same type of German machine which had put Brown out of action. // Brown, who has a score of two Stukas destroyed and an Me.109 probable to his credit, had just chalked up the “probable” when another 109 jumped him and riddled his cockpit, and shrapnel and bits of his own aircraft lodged in the 23-year-old Manitoba lad’s shoulder and scalp. “I’m telling you, I was really scared,” Brown recalls. “It was a weird and frightening experience to feel blood trickling down my back and see it rapidly staining my neckerchief, and yet not know how badly I was hurt. I just high-tailed it for home, with the Hun after me, and once, I flew so low that an Italian ground battery opened up on me, adding to my worries. I could feel my strength ebbing, and dizziness was creeping over me, so I turned on the oxygen, and managed to make base. The MO gave me the bits of metal he dug out of me, and I’ll never part with them. I figure I was just plain lucky.” // Brown, who like DeBourke got both his Stukas within a few minutes on the same day, has 50 hours of operational flying to his credit in the Middle East. DeBourke, a veteran of 110 hours of ops in the desert, was just about to put the finishing touches to his third Stuka in four minutes, when an escorting 109 came in fast on his tail and put splinters in his shoulder. The wounds, however, did not prevent him making base safely. On that day, the squadron got six enemy aircraft, and lost none. // Another American graduate of the RCAF who is flying Kittyhawks in the Middle East is Sergeant Dick Blake of Corpus Christi, Texas.BROWN, FS (now WO1) Wilfred David (R86267) - American Purple Heart - No.112 Squadron (deceased) - effective 27 July 1943 as per Canada Gazette dated 4 May 1946 and AFRO 473/46 dated 10 May 1946. Born 13 October 1919 in Hamiota, Manitoba. Home in Brandon, Manitoba; enlisted Winnipeg 2 January 1941 and posted to No.2 Manning Depot. To No.7 AOS (guard), 27 January 1941. To No.2 ITS, 5 March 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 8 April 1941 when posted to No.18 EFTS; may have graduated 9 June 1941 but not posted to No.10 SFTS until 21 June 1941; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 1 September 1941. Posted overseas 2 September 1941; on strength of RAF overseas, 22 October 1941. Attended No.52 OTU. Posted to No.72 Squadron, but after five weeks he was sent to Middle East. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 1 March 1942; WO2, 1 September 1942; joined No.112 Squadron in October 1942; promoted WO1, 1 March 1943. Killed in action 19 September 1943 while serving with No.112 Squadron (Kittyhawk FR860, GL-D, shot down by flak). Christopher Shores, Those Other Eagles, provides the following list of claims, all with No.112 Squadron: 31 October 1942, two Junkers 87s destroyed near El Daba (Kittyhawk FR211); 4 November 1942, one Bf.109 damaged, Fuka area (Kittyhawk FR266; Messerschmitt believed to have been a Bf.109G-2 of 8/JG77 flown by Lieutenant Heinz Ludeman, wounded but regained base. Bf.109 later captured by advancing Eighth Army and shipped to England where it has, in recent years, been restored to flying condition); 11 December 1942, one Bf.109 probably destroyed and one Bf.109 damaged, Marble Arch area (Kittyhawk FR255). Public Records Office Air 2/9599 has letter dated 23 May 1943 with details. // This officer requests that consideration be given on the recommendation of Flight Sergeant Wilfred D. Brown, R86267 (Canadian), 112 Squadron (RAF), the award of the Purple Heart, as a result of being wounded by enemy fire in his tour of operational duty in the Western Desert on the 11th of December. // Incident: Bottom cover to two Tack-R [sic] Hurricanes with the 66th Fighter Squadron as top cover over Marble Arch area, and ensuing air battle with defending ME.109s between the hours of 15.:10 and 17:10, 11th December 1942. // Flight Sergeant Brown piloting one of twelve P-40s on a Tack-R mission noticed four ME.109s following the flight while crossing the Agheila line and continued their way out to sea. It was soon observed that his formation was being attacked from the rear. Although he could have avoided combat, he immediately did a turn-about and found he was looking into the cannon of an ME.109 which was firing directly at him. Due to his courage and airmanship he shot down one of the attackers. Thinking he had completely run [out] of ammunition, he sighted another aircraft of his squadron, but while overtaking it he ran into two ME.109s. The enemy aircraft chased him toward the shore and while doing so the enemy anti-aircraft fire opened to [sic] him causing him to turn away, whereupon the two ME.109s attacked him from above and below. The explosive shell hit him on the head and a piece of his aircraft was blown into his shoulder. After the attack was broken off, Flight Sergeant Brown noticed his petrol was low, and in spite of the injuries he had received he landed the airplane at Nagrum and had the shrapnel and piece of aircraft removed from his head and shoulder. // RCAF Press Release dated 1 February 1943 from F/L MacGillivray reads: // AT AN AERODROME BEYOND TRIPOLI: -- After quick recoveries from almost identical wounds received in similar circumstances on different days during the Eighth Army’s great push, two RCAF Kittyhawk pilots are back with their RAF desert squadron, taking part in daily straffing and dive-bombing attacks behind Rommel’s lines. // So weak from loss of blood that he had to use oxygen to retain consciousness on the way home, Flight Sergeant Wilfred Brown of Virden, Manitoba, struggled back to base with cannon-splinters in his back and shoulder; while in the other case, Sergeant Dick DeBourke of 36 Floral Street, Newton Highlands, Boston, Massachusetts, shot down two Stukas and probably destroyed another before he was wounded in the shoulder by an Me.109 – the same type of German machine which had put Brown out of action. // Brown, who has a score of two Stukas destroyed and an Me.109 probable to his credit, had just chalked up the “probable” when another 109 jumped him and riddled his cockpit, and shrapnel and bits of his own aircraft lodged in the 23-year-old Manitoba lad’s shoulder and scalp. “I’m telling you, I was really scared,” Brown recalls. “It was a weird and frightening experience to feel blood trickling down my back and see it rapidly staining my neckerchief, and yet not know how badly I was hurt. I just high-tailed it for home, with the Hun after me, and once, I flew so low that an Italian ground battery opened up on me, adding to my worries. I could feel my strength ebbing, and dizziness was creeping over me, so I turned on the oxygen, and managed to make base. The MO gave me the bits of metal he dug out of me, and I’ll never part with them. I figure I was just plain lucky.” // Brown, who like DeBourke got both his Stukas within a few minutes on the same day, has 50 hours of operational flying to his credit in the Middle East. DeBourke, a veteran of 110 hours of ops in the desert, was just about to put the finishing touches to his third Stuka in four minutes, when an escorting 109 came in fast on his tail and put splinters in his shoulder. The wounds, however, did not prevent him making base safely. On that day, the squadron got six enemy aircraft, and lost none. // Another American graduate of the RCAF who is flying Kittyhawks in the Middle East is Sergeant Dick Blake of Corpus Christi, Texas.

BROWN, F/O William James (J26755) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.427 Squadron - Award effective 1 December 1944 as per London Gazette dated 8 December 1944 and AFRO 337/45 dated 23 February 1945. Born 30 March 1917 in Thunder Bay; home in Orillia; enlisted Windsor, 9 February 1942. To No.1 Manning Depot, 15 March 1942. To No.1 SFTS (guard duty), 7 May 1942. To No.6 ITS, 15 August 1942; graduated and promoted LAC, 9 October 1942 but not posted to No.9 EFTS until 7 November 1942; may have graduated 22 January 1943 but not posted to No.16 SFTS until 6 February 1943; graduated and commissioned 28 May 1943. To \"Y\" Depot, 11 June 1943; to RAF overseas, 22 June 1943. Repatriated 8 December 1944. Retired 28 April 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.1729 (RG.24 Vol.20608) has recommendation dated 15 September 1944 when he had flown 34 sorties (163 hours 55 minutes) in a tour from 19 May to 12 September 1944. This captain has completed thirty-four heavy operational bombing attacks against the enemy, eleven of which have been on major targets. he has never been a non-starter or had an early return. On August 13th [his] aircraft was detailed for Gardening at La Rochelle; the starboard outer engine overheated all the way to the target and on the return to base. This captain through excellent engine handling was successful in keeping the engine going and obtained approximately half-power from it. Flying Officer Brown\'s work in general has been outstanding and he sets his mind on the task in hand, fearlessly and with a fine offensive spirit, setting a magnificent example to all. The sortie list was as follows: 19 May 1944 - Le Clipon (4.30) 22 May 1944 - Le Mans (4.30) 31 May 1944 - Au Fevre (4.20) 4 June 1944 - Calais (3.15) 5 June 1944 - Neuville Franceville (5.30) 6 June 1944 - Conde sur Noireau (5.25) 10 June 1944 - Versailled Matelot (5.30) 12 June 1944 - Arras (4.50) 14 June 1944 - Cambrai (4.30) 16 June 1944 - Sautrecourt (3.55) 17 June 1944 - Oisemont Neuville au Bois (4.20) 21 June 1944 - Oisemont Neuville au Bois (4..40) 24 June 1944 - Bonnetot (4.20) 4 July 1944 - Villeneuve St. George (5.55) 9 July 1944 - Ardouval (4.15) 12 July 1944 - Acquet (5.00) 18 July 1944 - Mondeville (5.00) 18 July 1944 - Wesseling (5.45) 20 July 1944 - Anderbelck (3.05) 23 July 1944 - Donges (6.00) 28 July 1944 - Hamburg (5.40) 31 July 1944 - Cocquereau (4.15) 1 August 1944 - L?Hey (3.30) 3 August 1944 - Foret de Nieppe (3.45) 12 August 1944 - Brunswick (5.55) 13 August 1944 - Mining (6.40) 15 August 1944 - Soesterburg (3.55) 16 August 1944 - Kiel (5.40) 18 August 1944 - Mining (7.00) 25 August 1944 - St. Mathieu (4.45) 27 August 1944 - Mimoyecques (3.30) 31 August 1944 - Cezembres (5.00) 3 September 1944 - Volkel (3.00) 12 September 1944 - Mining (6.45)

BROWN, F/L William Wood Lindsay (J16571) - Mention in Despatches - No.441 Squadron - (deceased) - Award effective 1 January 1946 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 418/46 dated 18 April 1946. Born 18 August 1916 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Home in Edmonton; enlisted there 7 November 1940. Trained at No.1 ITS, Toronto (graduated 14 March 1941), No.10 EFTS, Mount Hope (graduated 16 May 1941), and No.2 SFTS, Uplands (graduated 8 August 1941). On 25 July 1941, while swimming at the Hogs Back (Ottawa) he and one LAC Peter E. Weld rescued from downing a Mr. Jean Louis Plante - Brown located the man and Weld resusitated him. (letter by F/O Arthur D. Pope dated 12 December 1941, found on Brown?s file). To \"Y\" Depot for embarkation, 9 August 1941; to RAF overseas, 27 August 1941; taken on strength of No.3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, 13 September 1942. To No.59 OTU, 29 September 1941. On 6 October 1941 he became lost at dusk and crash-landed Hurricane W9177 on a farm; incident put down to inexperience. At that time he had flown one hour 50 minutes on Hurricanes and had 79 hours 15 minutes solo flying in all. To Middle East Command, 28 January 1942. Promoted to Flight Sergeant, 8 February 1942; posted to No.80 Squadron, 28 May 1942 Promoted to WO2, 8 August 1942; promoted WO1, 1 September 1942. On 8 October 1942, at El Bassa, he damaged Hurricane BN473 on landing from practice circuits - wheel slipped into a ditch at low speed and undercarriage collapsed. Although he was deemed at fault, the Commanding Officer of No.80 Squadron (S/L D.M. Keddy) described Brown as \"a good pilot...has put in some excellent work\" and recommended a lenient view of the incident. Commissioned 30 October 1942. Promoted to Flying Officer, 30 April 1943. Posted from No.80 Squadron, 14 July 1943 and taken on strength of No.203 Group. Instructed at No.73 OTU, Abu Sueir, 19 August 1943 to 10 January 1944 (rated average). On 25 October 1943 he suffered engine failure during Battle Formation flying on Spitfire EE805 and force-landed wheels up about one-half mile from base. Returned to Britain (arrived there 10 February 1944). On 24 February 1944 he filed a form stating that he had flown 790 hours overseas (195 operational, 200 sorties, Hurricanes and Spitfires). Sent to Canada on special leave, 3 March 1944 (arrived 16 March 1944); embarked again for Britain, 4 May 1944, arriving 10 May 1944. To No.441 Squadron, 14 May 1944. Promoted to Flight Lieutenant, 12 July 1944. Killed in action 13 August 1944; buried in France. Credited with a share of a FW.190 destroyed (22 June 1944) and two FW.190s destroyed (17 July 1944). Certificate sent to his mother, 3 November 1948. RCAF photo PL-31046 (ex UK-13227 dated 3 August 1944) is captioned as follows: “Master of all he surveys - wreckage - is F/L Bill Brown, Edmonton, Alberta (9913-82nd Street) of the RCAF as he looks over a Normandy town from his perch in a demolished house.” Photo PL-31062 (ex UK-13325 dated 8 August 1944) shows him with Lord Trenchard. No citation. Circumstances of death and award: On 11 May 1945 Norman B. Davis (Deputy Metals Controller) wrote a letter to Air Commodore D. MacKell, AFHQ. This read: Bill Brown was a fine young officer who spent several of his leaves with us in Ottawa, and we are therefore intensely interested in learning exactly what happened to him on his last flight over France. His mother has sent me the casualty officer?s leter to her dated March 15, and I have learned some of the details of his last flight and will give them to you in the hope that some action can be taken toward locating him, or his resting place, if dead. Bill was a member of 441 Spits Squadron, and was leading a flight with F/L [Leslie C.] Saunders on August 13, 1944, when they spotted some trucks and tanks at a road crossing. Bill directed Saunders to go down after them and he (Bill) would follow right behind. They made a close attack, and just as they passed the trucks Bill was heard on the radio say that he was hit, but he made a sharp turn and started away for the return. Saunders was several miles away by that time but he followed Bill?s plane to where Bill entered a cloudbank in a spin at 2,500 feet. This was close to the American lines at the time, and near Lisieux, France. Tom Brannigan, CO of Bill\'s squadron, was knocked down in the same area shortly after, but was reported a prisoner of war only about six weeks ago. One of the boys in the same flight said that Brannigan was going to recommend Bill for the DFC, but this was never carried out for the reason above. He also said that Bill was the most respected chap in the squadron. On August 11 Bill had to head for his base when his plane was hit with flak and the controls shot half away. On August 12 a flak fragment ruptured his glycol system and again he just made it back to base. The 13th of August was the day he did not return. If it is possible to do anything extra to determine what happened to Bill Brown, kindly give the matter special attention. It would also be a fine gesture to investigate if it is possible to award the DFC in this case, even if posthumously. RCAF Overseas Headquarters wrote a letter on this subject, 26 June 1945. A letter dated 6 September 1945 (G/C J.C. Scott, AFHQ to Air Officer Commanding, RCAF Headquarters Overseas, read: In reply to your referenced letter it is advised that this Headquarters has contacted S/L Brannigan concerning some recognition for the subject noted officer. Squadron Leader Brannigan has submitted to this Headquarters a citation recommending F/L Brown for a Distinguished Flying Cross. The following is the copy of the citation submitted: \"Recommendation for Distinguished Flying Cross - Flight Lieutenant W.W.L. Brown, J16571. This officer at all times showed the highest degree of courage in the performance of his duties. He was in no small measure responsible for the excellent record established for the 441 Squadron before and after D Day, having led the squadron on number occasions. F/L Brown had personally destroyed at least two and one-half enemy aircraft besides damaging several others. He also accounted for many truc ks, trains and ground installations.\" Signed: Thomas A. Brannigan, S/L - ex-Commanding Officer, 441 Squadron. In view of the fact that Flight Lieutenant Brown is presumed dead and therefore the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross cannot be made, it is suggested that consideration be given to the award of a posthumous Mention in Despatches in this case.

BROWNE, FS Edward Joseph (R218062) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.630 Squadron - Award effective 6 January 1945 as per London Gazette dated 16 January 1945 and AFRO 508/45 dated 23 March 1945. Born February 1925. Home in Saskatoon; enlisted there 18 February 1943. Trained at No.3 BGS (graduated 1 October 1943). To \"Y\" Depot, Halifax, 15 October 1943; to No.3 PRC, Bournemouth, 21 October 1943. Further trained at No.16 OTU and No.1652 Conversion Unit. Repatriated 9 November 1944; to No.5 BGS, 19 December 1944; released 22 February 1945. Camera operator with RCAF, 8 September 1948 to 11 August 1949. Award presented 6 September 1947. This air gunner has completed a very successful tour of operations. He has taken part in a number of attacks on major targets in Germany. During one of these sorties while attacking Darmstadt he observed an enemy fighter preparing to attack a friendly aircraft. Flight Sergeant Browne by his clear and accurate instructions enabled his captain to manoeuvre his own aircraft so that it was possible to shoot down the enemy fighter. His skill and ability as an air gunner have been of the utmost value to his crew. Public Records Office Air 2/9039 has recommendation dated 19 October 1944 when he had flown 35 sorties (200 hours 32 minutes); gives more details than published citation: 1 June 1944 - Saumur (6.13) 4 June 1944 - Maizy (3.50) 5 June 1944 - La Perenelle (4.17) 7 June 1944 - Foret de Cerisny (4.47) 9 June 1944 - Etampes (4.28) 12 June 1944 - Caen (4.21) 14 June 1944 - Aunay-sur-Odon (4.55) 16 June 1944 - Doulens (3.42) 21 June 1944 - Wesserling (4.20) 4 July 1944 - Creil (4.00) 7 July 1944 - Creil (4.30) 12 July 1944 - Chateau Chalindray (7.46) 14 July 1944 - Villeneuve St.George (6.45) 18 July 1944 - Caen (3.37) 19 July 1944 - Creil (4.07) 20 July 1944 - Courtrai (2.57) 24 July 1944 - Stuttgart (8.12) 25 July 1944 - Stuttgart (8.47) 26 July 1944 - Givors (8.26) 28 July 1944 - Stuttgart (7.56) 30 July 1944 - Aunay-sur-Odon (5.48) 31 July 1944 - Joigny (5.07) 2 August 1944 - Trossy St.Maximim (4.14) 5 August 1944 - St.Leu d\'Esserent (4.31) 9 August 1944 - Chatelleauls (6.26) 10 August 1944 - Bordeaux (6.50) 11 August 1944 - Givors (8.16) 25 August 1944 - Darmstadt (8.25) 26 August 1944 - Koenigsburg (10.38) 27 August 1944 - Danzig (11.10) 31 August 1944 - Bergueneuse (3.48) 3 September 1944 - Deelan (3.37) 9 September 1944 - Munchen (4.20) 11 September 1944 - Le Havre 11 September 1944 - Darmstadt This Air Gunner has completed a very successful tour of operations, having taken part in several attacks against highly defended targets in Germany and enemy occupied territory. On his last sortie over Darmstadt he observed an enemy fighter preparing to attack another Lancaster in the target area. By giving his captain an excellent running commentary, he enabled the captain to position his Lancaster so as to allow him to bring his sights to bear on the enemy fighter. Flight Sergeant Browne successfully engaged the fighter and claims to have destroyed it. This was confirmed by another aircraft in the squadron, in particular by one which was captained by his squadron commander. His skill and ability as an air gunner has been outstanding, and his coolness and judgement have been of the utmost value to his crew, and have earned for him their confidence and respect. His keenness to operate and devotion to duty have been most marked, and he has set a fine example to other air gunners in the squadron. He is strongly recommended for the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal. Public Record Office Air 50/287 has Combat Report for 11/12 September 1944 when he was rear gunner in Lancaster LM259, target Darmstadt. Other gunner was a Sergeant Fenton who did not fire. Fishpond was serviceable and in operation during the action, which took place at 008 hours, 12,000 feet, heading 287 degrees true, position 48 degrees 48\" North 08 degrees 22\" East. There was no moon and cloud below was 3/10 to 5/10. There were searchlights, flak and flares. First warning was visual (400 yards, fine port quarter down); aircraft corkscrewed as he opened fire. Enemy was a twin-engined fighter which attacked from fine port quarter. Fighter opened fire first, 400 yards down to 200 yards. Browne fired 300 rounds, starting at 400 yards range. Narrative of action as follows: Aircraft over target area, fighter seen by rear gunner on fine quarter down, mid-upper watching second fighter on starboard quarter up. First fighter attacked from fine port quarter down and opened up at 400 yards; rear gunner saw no tracer but bomb aimer states he saw tracer from fighter pass over starboard wing. Rear gunner opened up on visual at 400 yards, went into port corkscrew and fired until fighter reached 200 yards when own aircraft was rolling in corkscrew. Rear gunner?s own trace was now visible going into fighter, no correction needed. Fighter went into a spiral dive and his starboard engine was afire which spread to starboard wing and was seen by rear gunner and bomb aimer to hit the ground with a bright explosion.

BROWNE, FS Rodney Rupert (R268590) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.429 Squadron - Award effective 20 April 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 918/45 dated 1 June 1945. Born 25 April 1925. Home in Town of Mont Royal, Quebec; enlisted Montreal, 25 August 1943. Trained at No.10 BGS (graduated 10 March 1944). Further trained at No.3 Air Gunners Ground Training School. To “Y” Depot, Halifax, 3 June 1944. Repatriated 13 June 1945. Released 4 September 1945. RCAF photo PL-42299 (ex UK-19274 dated 9 March 1945) shows F/L C.S. Pope (right) with his rear gunner, FS R.R. Brown of Montreal, “who combined with the mid-upper gunner to shoot down a FW.190 which attacked their aircraft during an attack on Worms, Germany.” Photo PL-42300 (ex UK-19275 dated 9 March 1945) is captioned as follows: “These two gunners from the Bison Squadron of the RCAF Bomber Group claimed destruction of a FW.190 which attacked their Halifax bomber during an attack on Worms, Germany, recently. At right is FS R.R. Browne, Montreal, rear gunner and at the left is FS J.C.H.M. Langlois, Three Rivers, Quebec, mid-upper gunner.” Award presented 5 October 1947. Died 25 December 1999 at Gananoque, Ontario as per Royal Canadian Legion “Last Post” website and Legion Magazine of November/December 2000. One night in February 1945 this airman was rear gunner in an aircraft detailed to attack Worms. Whilst over the target the aircraft was intercepted by a fighter. Flight Sergeant Browne gave a timely warning to his pilot who took the necessary combat manoeuvre. Flight Sergeant Browne then opened up with his guns, firing several bursts at the attacker which fell away and afterwards exploded. This airman is a cool and confident air gunner. He has taken part in very many sorties and his skill and vigilance have made him a valuable member of aircraft crew. DHH file 181.009 D.1509 (Library and Archives Canada RG.24 Volume 20599) has original recommendation by W/C R.L. Bolduc dated 28 February1945 when he had flown 18 sorties (113 hours 55 minutes). On the night of February 21st, 1945, Flight Sergeant Browne was rear air gunner of an aircraft detailed to attack Worms. While on the bombing run Flight Sergeant Browne’s aircraft was attacked by a FW.190. He immediately warmed his pilot and violent evasive action was taken. Showing extraordinary coolness, Flight Sergeant Browne gave a running commentary of the attack and fired 1,000 rounds at the attacking aircraft. As the fighter broke away onto a dive it was seen to explode and is reported as destroyed. This airman has taken part in 18 attacks on enemy territory, many of which have been against the heavily defended areas of industrial Germany. He has at all times shown himself to be a first class air gunner who has his work at heart and is ever on the alert to warn his pilot of impending attack. It is considered that this airman’s fine offensive spirit and determination to come to grips with the enemy as demonstrated by the above incident, combined with his fine record of operations, fully merits the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.

BROWNELL, F/L Gavin James (J26394) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.582 Squadron - Award effective 10 May 1945 as per London Gazette dated 22 May 1945 and AFRO 1147/45 dated 13 July 1945. Born 16 April 1922. Home in Port McNicoll, Ontario; enlisted Galt, 14 February 1941 as an Airframe Mechanic. Posted to No.5 SFTS, 28 April 1941. To Technical Training School, St. Thomas, 2 July 1941. To No.9 BGS, 17 December 1941. Promoted LAC, 1 March 1942 and Corporal, 1 June 1942. Remustered to aircrew and posted to No.3 ITS on 1 August 1942 (graduated 25 September 1942 but not posted away until 24 October 1942). Further trained at No.11 EFTS (graduated 11 December 1942, posted away 9 January 1943) and No.1 SFTS (graduated and commissioned 14 May 1943). Posted to No.1 GRS, 28 May 1943; to \"Y\" Depot, 14 August 1943; to Britain 12 September 1943. Repatriated 9 July 1945; released 29 August 1945. Graduated from Trinity College in Toronto in 1952, worked for DeHavilland Aircraft Company in Toronto for five years and then taught for the Toronto Board of Education at Lawrence Park Collegiate and Riverdale Collegiate for a total of 27 years. Award presented with Bar in Toronto, 30 November 1949. Died in Hanover, Ontario, 15 April 2006 as reported in Legion Magazine of November 2006. 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\". Public Records Office Air 2/9070 has recommendation dated 18 February 1945 when he had flown 33 sorties (153 hours), 16 August 1944 to 1 February 1944. 16 August 1944 - Pomeranian Bay 29 August 1944 - Stettin 31 August 1944 - Agennville 3 September 1944 - Eindhoven 6 September 1944 - Le Havre 10 September 1944 - Le Havre 16 September 1944 - Leeuwarden 19 September 1944 - Calais 23 September 1944 - Neuss 24 September 1944 - Calais 5 October 1944 - Saarbrucken 7 October 1944 - Emmerich 28 October 1944 - Domberg 29 October 1944 - Walcheren 30 October 1944 - Cologne 2 November 1944 - Dusseldorf 4 November 1944 - Bochum 6 November 1944 - Gelsenkirchen 9 November 1944 - Wanne Eickel 11 November 1944 - Dortmund 2 December 1944 - Karlsruhe 4 December 1944 - Merseberg (Leuna) 15 December 1944 - Ludwigshaven 17 December 1944 - Ulm 23 December 1944 - Cologne (Gremburg) 28 December 1944 - Munchen Gladbach 29 December 1944 - Troisdorf 30 December 1944 - Cologne 2 January 1945 - Nuremburg 13 January 1945 - Saarbrucken 14 January 1945 - Merseburg (Leuna) 16 January 1945 - Magdeburg 1 February 1945 - Ludwigshaven Flying Officer Brownell is an exceptionally keen and efficient captain of a very successful marker crew. He has at all times shown the greatest determination, skill and courage, together with an unfailing energy and sense of duty in all phases of his operational tour. He is strongly recommended for the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. BROWNELL, A/S/L Gavin James (J26394) - Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross - No.582 Squadron - Awarded 23 November 1945 as per London Gazette dated 4 December 1945 and AFRO 212/46 dated 1 March 1946. Since being recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross, Squadron Leader Brownell has taken part in a number of successful sorties with the Pathfinder Force. He has set a fine example by his keenness for air operations and as a flight commander he has led his flight with outstanding courage and determination. This officer has always pressed home his attacks with great vigour and skill and his courage and devotion to duty have been valuable assets to his squadron.

BROWNHILL, F/O Jack Kenneth (J21638) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.12 Squadron - Award effective 4 November 1944 as per London Gazette dated 14 November 1944 and AFRO 239/45 dated 9 February 1945. Born 3 March 1918. Home in Fort Erie, Ontario; enlisted Hamilton, 7 February 1942. Posted to No.42 SFTS, 23 March 1942 for non-flying duties. To No.5 ITS, 6 June 1942 (graduated 1 August 1942 when promoted LAC) . Posted to No.9 AOS, 15 August 1942 (graduated and commissioned 4 December 1942). To \"Y\" Depot, Halifax, 27 December 1942. To RAF overseas, 2 February 1943. Repatriated 5 August 1945. Released 17 September 1945. Award presented at Stamford Centre, Ontario, 7 August 1949.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.\" Public Records Office Air 2/8827 has recommendation dated 14 August 1944 when he had flown 30 sorties (147 hours 55 minutes). 3 May 1944 - Mailley le Camp 21 May 1944 - Duisburg 22 May 1944 - Dortmund 27 May 1944 - Aachen 31 May 1944 - Tegnier 2 June 1944 - Berneval le Grand 4 June 1944 - Pas de Calais 5 June 1944 - Crisbecq 6 June 1944 - Acheres 9 June 1944 - Flers 11 June 1944 - Evreux 12 June 1944 - Gelsenkirchen 14 June 1944 - Le Havre 23 June 1944 - Saintes 24 June 1944 - Flers 27 June 1944 - Vaires 30 June 1944 - Vierzon 2 July 1944 - Domleger 4 July 1944 - Orleans 5 July 1944 - Dijon 7 July 1944 - Caen 12 July 1944 - Tours 17 July 1944 - Caen 18 July 1944 - Schloven 20 July 1944 - Courtrai 23 July 1944 - Kiel 25 July 1944 - Stuttgart 31 July 1944 - Foret de Nieppe 2 August 1944 - Les Catelliers 3 August 1944 - Trossy St.Maximine Flying Officer Brownhill, who is a Canadian, has navigated a Lancaster aircraft in thirty operations, including raids on such distant targets as Stuttgart, Saintes, Dijon and on targets in the Ruhr Valley. He has maintained an extremely high standard of efficiency throughout, frequently in the face of fierce enemy opposition and in difficult weather conditions. His navigating skill and high courage have been an inspiration to his captain and the rest of his crew, enabling them to achieve repeated success and giving them complete confidence. His ability, courage and devotion to duty have been a tower of strength to a very gallant crew and I consider the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Flying Officer Brownhill would justly reward his magnificent efforts.

BROWNLEE, S/L Donald Arthur (C5194) - Mention in Despatches - No.143 Wing (AFRO gives unit as "Overseas" - Award effective 14 June 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1600/45 dated 12 October 1945. Born 15 June 1913. Home in Ottawa; enlisted there 28 August 1935. To No.2 SFTS, 14 January 1941. Promoted WO2, 1 March 1941. Commissioned as Flying Officer, 15 May 1941. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 20 July 1942. To “Y” Depot, Halifax, 25 February 1943; to RAF overseas, 28 February 1943. Promoted Acting Squadron Leader, date uncertain; confirmed as Squadron Leader, 1 August 1945. Repatriated 29 January 1946. Reverted to Flight Lieutenant in permanent force, 1 October 1946. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 January 1949 in Personnel Administration Branch. Promoted Wing Commander, 1 January 1954. Retired 1967. Died in Ottawa, Ontario, 27 April 2003. RCAF photo PL-33178 (ex UK-15796 dated 14 October) is captioned as follows: “Apparently the administrative officer wants something of the adjutant. Squadron Leader D.A, Brownlee of Ottawa is seen with his adjutant, Flight Lieutenant Jack Bonner, also of Ottawa. The little play is being enacted in front of one of the wooden horses with which the Germans hoped to camouflage their airdromes from Allied prying eyes. On the horse’s head is ‘Pat’, the squadron leader’s dog.” RCAF photos PL-40742 and PL-40743 (ex UK-15953 and UK-15954, dated 30 November 1944) is captioned as follows: “S/L Don Brownlee of Ottawa, the Wing administrative officer (left), and S/L Donald Brewster of Fernie, B.C., the chief technical officer, look over the possibilities of a prange German hangar as a source of lumber and materials for airmen’s quarters. In the background is a Messerschmitt, stripped bare by the blast which ruined this hangar and behind that is a new airmen’s mess hall built from salvaged equipment.” RCAF photo PL-43792 (ex UK-20821, circa 15 April 1945) shows him wearing battle dress, wedge cap and revolver; described as “the wing senior administrative officer.” No citation found but DHist file 181.009 D.1124 (RG.24 Vol.20595) has recommendation drafted by G/C K.L.B. Hodson and forwarded from No.120 Wing, 8 January 1946, for an OBE. For the record, the submission is transcribed as follows: Squadron Leader Brownlee served as Senior Administration Officer with 143 Airfield, 2nd Tactical Air Force, throughout its European campaign. He was mentioned in despatches for his work. On the 19th September 1945 he was posted to RAF Down Ampney as Senior Administrative Officer. It was a dispersed station in a bad state of disrepair. Canadian airmen posted in were bitterly disappointed at not being repatriated. Wholeheartedly, Squadron Leader Brownlee devoted himself to organizing and repairing this station. Nothing was too much trouble, no task too great. For weeks on end, without leave, he worked for the airmen’s welfare. I have never seen an officer devote himself so thoroughly and so painstakingly to his airmen. Starting with nothing, Squadron Leader Brownlee has demonstrated what can be done with energy and singleness of purpose. In these difficult times, when others have lost enthusiasm, his inspiration is worthy of an OBE. BROWNLEE, F/L Donald Arthur. (19985) - French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star - Award as per Canada Gazette dated 20 September 1947 and AFRO 485/47 dated 12 September 1947. External Affairs file “French Awards to Canadian Armed Forces - Particular Cases” (Library and Archives Canada, RG.25, Box 4140) has the following citation: Squadron Leader Brownlee was administrative officer with 143 Wing of Second Tactical Air Force. His efforts greatly contributed to the efficient operation of this Wing, which aided in no small measure in driving the enemy from French soil.

SUTHERLAND-BROWN, F/L Atholl (J14722) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.177 Squadron - Award effective 9 April 1945 as per London Gazette dated 17 April 1945 and AFRO 918/45 dated 1 June 1945. Born 20 June 1923; home in Oak Bay, or Victoria; enlisted in Vancouver, 17 September 1941 and posted to No.3 Manning Depot. To No.4 Training Command, 10 October 1941. To No.8 BGS (guard duty), 10 October 1941. To No.4 ITS, 8 November 1941; graduated and promoted LAC on 2 January 1942; posted that date to No.18 EFTS; course completed 10 April 1942 but not posted to No.3 SFTS until 25 April 1942; graduated and commissioned , 9 October 1942. To No.1 GRS, 6 November 1942. To “Y” Depot, 30 January 1943; to RAF overseas, 18 February 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 9 April 1944. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 9 October 1944. Repatriated 8 June 1945. To Western Air Command, 20 June 1945. To No.8 Release Centre, 20 August 1945. Released 22 August 1945. Obtained a Ph.D. in geology (Princeton) and becane chief geologist for British Columbia Geological Survey. Died in Victoria, 9 December 2016. Award presented 29 January 1947. A long memoir is in his DHist biographical file, Indian Days - Burmese Nights, by Dr. A. Sutherland-Brown, 546 Newport Avenue, Victoria, British Columbia, V8S 5C7. See also “Low Down Over Burma” Flypast, September 2004, and his book Silently Into the Midst of Things (1997). Also published Searching for the Origins of Haida Gwaii: Adventures While Mapping the Geology of the Islands, 1958-1962, which described not only his geological work but included character sketches of people he met there. He also wrote a book about his father, who was known as Buster, A Canadian Patriot and Imperialist — The Life and Times of Brigadier James Sutherland Brown. // This officer has completed many operations over Burma and Siam. He has attained outstanding results and has inflicted most severe damage against enemy technical transport. He has at all times shown the utmost determination and courage in low level attacks. His unfailing keenness and devotion to duty have been most praiseworthy. // The following is transcribed from The Memory Project: // I was in Maple Bay sailing small boats and racing. We would gather at Maple Bay – [the invasion of Poland] started on the first of September [1939] I think and the war started I think on the 4th [Canada declared war on Germany on September 3rd, 1939]. I was in fact a member, a boy soldier with the Canadian Scottish Regiment, so I returned [to Victoria]. But as I was underage, I was turfed out at that time. Went back to high school, completed high school, one year at Victoria College and then I was 18, so I joined up in the air force, hoping to be a pilot and I became one. My father was a military man and although there weren’t extensive discussions in the family, I was old enough to read the papers and I knew quite a bit about it, I followed it, it was a time of great stress in the Western world. You would have had to have been kind of dull not to have known what was going on. Well, Japan was looked on as a potential enemy and it was a great problem for the defence of this coast if we came to war with Japan. But after the naval treaties of the mid-1930s I guess, people thought that that was less likely. But they were a potential threat and they turned out to be a real threat. I joined because, two things: and it’s hard to weigh which they were. One, I wanted to learn to fly, I wanted to fly and two, I was imbued by my family with a sense of duty and service to my country. And so it was the most natural thing in the world to join up. And beyond that, I’d had a brother who was killed in the air force just maybe six months before I joined up. So there was an element of that in it too. My oldest brother was already in the army and he was overseas in England at the time. Getting your wings as a pilot took about, well, more than a year and so I joined up, I went to Edmonton and Manning Depot and then did guard duty for a month or two in Lethbridge and then back to initial training in Edmonton. Then Primary Flying [Training School] in Boundary Bay, B.C. and then EFTS [Elementary Flying Training School] in Calgary. Got my wings there in, I guess it would be September 1942. Then I went to Prince Edward Island where I took a pilot’s navigation course and then I went overseas. And in - overseas, I took operational training in Scotland and Yorkshire [England] and then I picked up a plane from the factory at Bristol, Bristol Beaufighter, and I was assigned to take it to India. And as a youth of just barely 20, so I flew a plane out to India and I served, most of my war service was in the India and Burma [campaigns]. I returned to Canada from Burma in August I think 1945. And immediately was de-mobbed [demobilized] and went back to UBC [University of British Columbia]. At the end of the war, 25 percent of the pilots on the Burma theatre with the Commonwealth air forces, RAF [Royal Air Force] and RCAF [Royal Canadian Air Force], were Canadians. There were a tremendous number of Canadian pilots out there, far more than other air crew. It’s a very little known fact but there were several thousand Canadian pilots on the Burma front. And I had no choice but I was pleased to go out there. It was an adventure. Flying a plane out to India, then serving out there first of all with a communications squadron and later on with an RAF squadron, 177 Beaufighter Squadron. When you joined up, you were an Aircraftsman. And then when you’re in pilot training, you’re AC2, Aircraftsman, Second Class. And you stay that until you graduate and you either graduate as a Sergeant Pilot or as a Pilot Officer. I was made a Pilot Officer right away. A year later, I was a Flying Officer. At the end of the war, I was, well, before then, I was a Flight Lieutenant, which is the equivalent of a Captain nowadays. Flying was very exciting, especially the type of flying we were doing in Burma, at very low level. The air war was a little different than being in the [British] Fourteenth Army for instance, brutal war in the jungles. It was less so but there were lots of distressing memories in India. There was a famine on then, out of the hands of the British who were not in control of the government at the time, although they were in control of the war. The famine was the result of a number of things and I can tell you coming through Haora Station in Calcutta, with people dead and dying on the … And the railway station was pretty upsetting. And if you read something of history, you could read the various estimates of how the famine happened, why people starved to death in such large numbers when there was food available in India. So it, it’s less war memories than memories of a thing like that were shocking. The Indian population of course was very divided between rich and poor with abundant beggars and that could be very distressing. As far as war went and we were attacking trains and Japanese motor transports and ships, they were the enemy and they attacked the western countries and we knew what happened to you if you were shot down over Burma and became a prisoner of war, it was a most terrible event. You were better off to die than be a prisoner of war of the Japanese. In Europe, the reverse was the case. If you were a prisoner of war and you were in a Luftwaffe - in a prisoner-of-war camp operated by the German air force, it may have been tough but it wasn’t like it was in Burma. Our squadron was made up of British, Australian, Canadian and about equal numbers of Australians and Canadians. And the odd New Zealander. And between us, the Commonwealth air crew, we were, oh, about a third to a half - depending on what time you’re talking about - of all the pilots were from the Commonwealth in a British Royal Air Force squadron. Our squadron had 40 percent casualties. So if you did a tour of duty there, which was 50 trips, your chance of being killed or shot down were four out of ten. VJ-Day [Victory in Japan] was when I was on leave in Victoria after having returned from Burma. VE-Day [Victory in Europe], I was in England at the time so you know, the newspapers were full of it and I took part in celebrations for VE-Day in London and it would be hard not to know that the war was over. The Second World War was a war in the Western world [that] was completely justified. Although we declared war on Germany, it was because they attacked Poland which we had a treaty with. But basically, they were building up to take over the, Western Europe and get “living room”, Lebensraum. And the war was thrust upon us, we were ill-prepared, the Western world, although preparing, was still very ill-prepared. Japan attacked the United States in Hawaii, having already invaded China and having the ‘Rape of Nanjing’ [the massacre of Chinese civilians by the Imperial Japanese Army in 1937-1938] and other atrocities there, the Western world was fully justified in its effort to defend itself against the dictatorial powers. // A biographical obituary published in the Times-Colonist, 13 December 2016, included the following: // Airmen flew at low levels as they targeted rail lines and bridges. Sutherland Brown was wounded when his own cannon shell exploded. “We had high losses,” he said in a 1997 interview with the Times Colonist. “There were 40 per cent casualties.”

BROWN, F/L Frank Kendall (RAF 155348) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.433 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 15 September 1944. Born 1920 in York; home in Carnforth, Lancs.; educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School; enlisted for aircrew in 1940; commissioned 1943. Air Ministry Bulletin 15555 dated 15 September 1944 refers. As squadron signals leader, this officer has taken part in many sorties. He has displayed outstanding coolness and devotion to duty. On one occasion his aircraft was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire, rendering it extremely difficult to control but despite this Flight Lieutenant Brown continued his duties in a most efficient manner. His splendid record and quiet determination are most praiseworthy. NOTE: DHist file 181.009 D.2909 (RG.24 Volume 20633) has recommendation by W/C C.B. Sinton dated 29 May 1944 when he had flown 26 sorties (151 hours 30 minutes). 30 January 1943 to 24 April 1944. This officer has now completed 26 trips over enemy territory including such heavily defended areas as Berlin (2), Essen, Frankfurt. Dusseldorf and several trips to the Brest harbour for "gardening". His cooperation, coolness and devotion to duty have contributed in a large measure not only to the success of the Signals Section, of which he is the Leader, but to the entire squadron. On one occasion, namely April 24th, 1944, while operating against the German target of Karlsruhe, the aircraft in which this officer was flying was heavily damaged by predicted flak resulting in the loss of approximately 64 square fet of the starboard mainplane and including part of the starboard aileron. Despite the fact that the aircraft was flying in icing conditions and was extremely difficult to control, this officer carried out his duties in a most cool and efficient manner. The aircraft eventually landed at an emergency field in England after completing their attack. His splendid record and quiet but dogged determination I consider fully merits the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (non-immediate). The sortie list was as follows: 30 January 1943 - Oldenburg (5.00) 18 February 1943 - Gardening (4.45) 27 February 1943 - Gardening (5.00) 1 March 1943 - Gardening (4.35) 23 March 1943 - Gardening (4.45) 26 March 1943 - Duisburg (4.40) 28 March 1943 - St. Nazaire (6.20) 29 March 1943 - Bochum (5.45) 4 April 1943 - Kiel (6.50) 8 April 1943 - Duisburg (5.25) 10 April 1943 - Frankfurt (7.50) 14 April 1943 - Stuttgart (7.35) 23 May 1943 - Dortmund (5.15) 25 May 1943 - Dusseldorf (5.05) 27 May 1943 - Essen (5.05) 11 June 1943 - Dusseldorf (5.05) 14 June 1943 - Gardening (6.00) 21 June 1943 - Krefeld (1.30, early return) 22 June 1943 - Mulheim (4.45) 24 June 1943 - Elberfield (5.20) 25 June 1943 - Gelsenkirchen (4.45) 6 July 1943 - Gardening (6.35) 3 September 1943 - Gardening (6.00) 28 January 1944 - Berlin (7.45) 22 March 1944 - Kiel (6.55) 24 March 1944 - Berlin (7.45) 24 April 1944 - Karlsruhe (6.30)