Very sad news and many condolences to Joe's family. I remember, in particular, his story about training the newly formed RAF Regiment and being nearly blown up by a grenade - http://www.lawlerbrown.com/page-5.html ! Joe's profile page states that he is "Offline". That seems to sum things up - "gone - but not forgotten". :scot: Rest in Peace Joe :scot:
Very sad news, never knew him personally but another piece of history has gone forever many condolences to Joe's family. Kyle
My sincere condolences to Joe's family, I can but endorse the heartfelt tributes, a true gentleman in every sense of the word
A true and modest hero and a privilege to have met him online. I will always cherish Joe's kind words about my grandfather, with whom he served in the Royal Scots during the war. He certainly leaves behind a rich legacy on this forum. Sincere condolences to his family. Adam
Just back following a short break from the forum, such sad news. Such an interesting and informative man. Rest in Peace Joe and condolences to family and friends. Brian
I haven't commented before now for a number of reasons, partially because Joe's passing upset me more than I thought it would. I have often said of this forum that it was blessed with the fact that we have veterans who contribute, something that never ever happened for any WW1 forums for example. Occasionally it has been a rocky road dealing with members of another generation who are not always au fait with the way of the internet as some of us, but for better or worse I have always defended veterans struggling to deal with this because I study another war of which I knew many veterans but who are now no more. It's hard when they are gone, very hard, and I knew one day we would move towards that here which is why time on this forum with the veterans we've had has been so important - at least to me. Joe very much epitomised what the best of the online WW2 veterans were about; without hesitation he shared his memoirs on his own site and added much more to them here, as well as giving amazing input on many, many threads. I sadly never met Joe but after he once mentioned some of his mates who fell on the Walcheren Island, I did a detour and visited their graves at Bergen Op Zoom, for which he profusely thanked me in the kind and unassuming way veterans always do. Last week when Owen sent me a text that Joe was ill I was coming past the Bergen Op Zoom area again and thought of Joe there as a young man, and a young officer, and not ashamed to say I shed a tear for him knowing that a chapter was about to close; not only for this forum but with our connection to WW2. Rest in Peace Joe. I hope Niccar is up there with you mate, telling you one of his many East End jokes. But equally here's to our remaining veterans who continue to bless us with their presence.
I am deeply saddened by the news i have received regarding the death of major joe brown ,sadly i was emailed today by a friend who informed me .Can i say that major joe as i called hime was an inspiration to me ,and enabled me to follow my grandfathers footsteps through the last year of world war two ,I had many conversations with him via email and letters and he put me in touch with so many people i never thought i would ever speak to .major joe spoke highly of my grandfather and this was a good feeling some of his words even made me shed a tear or two ,i will miss him and the letters we sent to one another ,god bless you joe and thank you ,rest in peace my friend . AS AYE BOB .
Bob Thanks for giving this thread a bump. I am a firm advocate of the theory that a person is not yet dead until he or she is no longer mentioned by name and Joe was a lovely chap whos memory deserves to be kept alive. Best regards Ron
Ron. It was more than a privalage to have spoken to major joe ,he brought me into the family of the Royal Scots ,he inspired me and really had a big heart even for people he may not even have met in life ,i will cherish his letters and thoughts because all of those gave me the insight into what my grandfather took part in ,from this i was able to put a dvd together and a book i am working on now ,the dvd was produced by Alan robinson who also was in touch with major joe on a regular basis ,through major joe myself and alan have become friends as his father served in the the same regiment but in b company ,my grandfather was in d company Royal Scots both were wounded within months of each other .Ron, joe will live on in all of our thoughts and great memories just as the many who failed to come home do now .God bless all who served .
I cannot say more than what has already been said before about Joe Brown. His Posts always made excellent reading and his Website was to be admired. He will be greately missed by all those that he touched and my thoughts are with his Family. Joe Brown. RIP. With much Respect Tom