Brian Robertson BROWNE, (138930)

Owen

He has 1 pip of a Second Lieutenant so I'd say that has to be taken far earlier than 1945.

Mar 1, 2015

Owen

London Gazette (21 November 1939) entry of his Commission in 1939.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34739/supplement/7869

Wilts. R.—Struan Forsyth BROWNE (105601).

edit: yes I know this info is for his brother, got confused .

Mar 1, 2015

apw2007

Thanks for this because all I have to go on are photographs in an album but knew my mother was in the UK from March - September 1945. It would be great if I could find a living relative of the family to hand over the original pictures to.

Mar 1, 2015

MarkRB likes this.

Owen

I'd contact The Wardrobe , the regimental museum see if they have any leads to family.

Mar 1, 2015

Owen

is this a photo of Brian or Struan ?
he's a 2 Lt in Wiltshires - see his collar badges.

but he looks more like the chap in your other photo with the airborne badges
http://ww2talk.com/forums/gallery/image/27850-capt-brian-browne-capt-struan-browne-harlow-1945/

Mar 1, 2015

apw2007

According to the caption it's a picture of Brian Browne but I suppose it's possible that my mother got them muddled. According to the album this is Brian (6th Airborne Divison) and his brother, Struan was in the Wiltshire Regiment. It seems odd because my mother was a stickler for detail..

Mar 1, 2015

Owen

think it's me who got confused. this has to be Brian earlier in his career as a 2 Lt in the Wilts. Dont forget there were no airborne troops until later half of 1940.
he'd transfered later in war, i imagine.

Mar 1, 2015

Owen

transfered from Wilts to Paras 1943. see bottom right hand column here.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36244/supplement/4962

B. R. Browne (138930) from Wilts. R. l0 th Sept. 1943.

got number from that link you PMed me, will share for benefit of other members. http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/brian_browne.htm

Mar 1, 2015

Owen

mentioned in despatches 1945 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36961/supplement/1188

Mar 1, 2015

apw2007

I found this book The Day the Devils Dropped In: The 9th Parachute Battalion in Normandy - D ...

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IduwBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA33&lpg=PA33&dq=Brian+Browne+9th+Parachute+Battalion&source=bl&ots=2xb1swVOKN&sig=sp3-cGERq3pHPEgTG5Oe9LhXyB0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=947zVJSWB8jjU7jqgKgD&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Brian Browne 9th Parachute Battalion&f=false

Mar 2, 2015

Owen

That's him. I've been to Merville battery too. forgot it was 9 para involved.

Mar 2, 2015

MarkRB

Hi apw2007. I am Brian's grandson. It would mean so much to me if you still have the photos of my grandad. He died before I was born and only now really starting to look into my family's past.

Jul 19, 2020

OtwayInNormandy

MarkRB I've just replied to an email sent by a family member to the 9th Battalion website (https://www.9thparabattalion.com) so hopefully we'll be able to find a bit of info. I've cc'd Neil Barber, the author of the Day the Devils Dropped In, mentioned above. If you send me an email (admin@9thparabattalion.com) I'll loop you into the thread!

There's also a 9th Battalion facebook group that you may want to join, with many family members of 9 Para veterans. It's linked from the website.

Jul 27, 2020

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Brian Robertson BROWNE, (138930)

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