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Air Vice-Marshal C P Brown (03163)


Colin Peter       b: 20 Dec 1898            r: 15 Mar 1954            d: 19 Oct 1965

CB – 14 Jun 1945, CBE – 24 Sep 1941,  DFC – 21 Sep 1918, Bar – 3 Dec 1918, C de G (P) – 8 Nov 1918,

For a list of foreign decoration abbreviations, click here

(RNAS): - (T) PFO: 28 Jan 1917, Flt Sub-Lt: 13 Jun 1917.

(RAF): - Lt: 1 Apr 1918, Act Capt: xx xxx 1918, Fg Off: 4 Aug 1919, Flt Lt: 1 Jan 1925, Sqn Ldr: 1 Oct 1934, Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1938, Act Gp Capt: 1 Mar 1940?, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Sep 1940, Act A/Cdre: 19 Aug 1942, Gp Capt (WS): 19 Feb 1943, Gp Capt: 1 Dec 1943, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1947, Act AVM: 7 Apr 1950, AVM: 1 Jan 1952.

xx xxx 1917:                 U/T Pilot, RNAS

17 Jun 1917:                Pilot, Seaplane Defence Sqn.

15 Jan 1918:                Pilot, No 13 Sqn RNAS.

 1 Apr 1918:                Pilot, No 213 Sqn.

xx xxx 1918:                Flight Commander, No 213 Sqn.

 25 Nov 1919:             Pilot, HMS Argus.

31 May 1920:              Instructor, School of Naval Co-operation and Aerial Navigation

 5 Jan 1921:                 Pilot, No 205 Sqn.

 1 Oct 1921:                Pilot, No 3 Sqn.

 1 Apr 1923:                Pilot, No 420 Flt.

 1 Sep 1923:                Attended Signals Course, Electrical and Wireless School

26 Jul 1924:                 Completed Long Course and entitled to classification 'S'

15 Sep 1924:               Signals 3, Signals Branch.

19 Sep 1927:               Attended RAF Staff College.

xx xxx xxxx:                  Supernumerary?

16 Mar 1929:                Flight Commander, No 84 Sqn

xx xxx xxxx:                  Supernumerary?

 1 Feb 1931:                Signals Officer, No 13 Sqn.

12 Dec 1932:               Staff Officer, Signals Branch.

 1 Dec 1934:                Signals Officer, No 22 (Army Co-operation) Group.

21 Sep 1935:               Supernumerary, No 26 Sqn.

 2 Oct 1935:                Officer Commanding, No 26 Sqn/RAF Station, Catterick

30 Aug 1937:               Officer Commanding, RAF Station, Catterick

11 Apr 1938:               Supernumerary (non-effective, sick), RAF Depot.

 4 Jul 1938:                  Staff Officer, Air Tactics, Directorate of Staff Duties

 1 Mar 1940                 SASO, No 60 Group.

24 Apr 1940:               Tranferred to Technical Branch

 9 Aug 1941:                Staff Officer?, Air Ministry

19 Aug 1942:               Director of Radar, Air Ministry

xx xxx 1945:                 Director of Operational Requirements (II)

xx xxx 1946:                 Director of Operational Requirements (E)

 1 Feb 1948:                Command Signals Officer, Middle East Air Force

 7 Apr 1950:                Assistant Controller of Supplies (Air), Ministry of Supply

xx xxx 1953:                 Air Ministry for special duty

An able and aggressive pilot, his final tally at the end of World War One was 14 consisting of seven destroyed and a further two shared, four out of control and another shared.  On 6 Sep 1922, he was injured whilst making a forced landing in the Moray Firth in DH9A, H3530 of No 3 Sqn following an engine failure. He was awarded the CBE for distinguished service between 1 October 1940 and 31 March 1941.  Retired on account of medical unfitness for air force service.

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross

“Lieut. Colin Peter Brown (Sea Patrol).

Was engaged in a bombing raid on an enemy seaplane base by night, and dropped his bombs from a height of 500 feet, causing considerable destruction. Shortly afterwards he bombed an enemy aerodrome in daylight, also from a. height of 500 feet, and then descended to 300 feet and  destroyed an enemy machine. On arriving at his aerodrome fifty-nine bullet-holes were found in his machine. He has since then destroyed two enemy aeroplanes. Lieutenant Brown has been engaged in several other aerial fights, and has proved himself a gallant and resourceful flight leader.”

(London Gazette – 21 September 1918)

Citation for the award of the Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross

“Lieut. (A./Capt.) Colin Peter Brown, D.F.C. (Sea Patrol FLANDERS.)

A fine fighting pilot and brilliant leader who has destroyed thirteen enemy aircraft.  On 4th October he led his formation of fifteen scouts to attack a superior number of the enemy. Nine of the latter were destroyed, Captain Brown, single-handed, accounting for three.

(D.F.C. gazetted 21st September, 1918.)”

(London Gazette – 3 December 1918)

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