Colonel Vincent Christopher BROWN, OBE, DSC, MiD, Royal Marines attached HQ 3rd Division: 28/05/1940

Discussion in 'Commandos & Royal Marines' started by dbf, Jan 19, 2022.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Rank: Colonel
    Name: Vincent Christopher BROWN, OBE, DSC, MiD
    Unit: Royal Marines attached HQ 3rd Division


    London Gazette : 3 September 1915
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29283/page/8729/data.pdf
    Royal Marines.
    The undermentioned Probationary Second Lieutenants (temporary Lieutenants) to be Lieutenants: —
    Vincent Christopher Brown.
    Dated 6th September, 1914.

    London Gazette : 22 April 1919
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31303/supplement/5113/data.pdf
    HONOURS FOR MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES.
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the following honours, decorations and medals to the undermentioned Officers and Men:—
    To receive the Distinguished Service Cross.
    Capt. Vincent Christopher Brown, R.M.A.
    In recognition of his gallantry on the 10th and 12th May, when in command of a detachment of Royal Marines in action in the vicinity of Pechenga.

    London Gazette : 1 January 1934
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34010/supplement/7/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotion in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:—
    To be Officers of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order: —
    Major Vincent Christopher Brown, D.S.C., Royal Marines,

    London Gazette : 26 July 1940
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34904/supplement/4579/data.pdf
    The names of the undermentioned have been brought to notice in recognition of distinguished services rendered in connection with operations in the field. (First list, to March 1940, sub- joined. Second list, March-June 1940, to be published later):—
    Brown, Col. V. C., D.S.O., O.B.E., Royal Marines (deceased).
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2022
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Colonel Vincent Christopher Brown | War Casualty Details | CWGC
    COLONEL VINCENT CHRISTOPHER BROWN
    Awards: Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Distinguished Service Cross

    Regiment & Unit/Ship: Royal Marines attd. H.Q. 3rd Div.
    Date of Death: Died 28 May 1940
    Age 46 years old
    Buried or commemorated at DUNKIRK TOWN CEMETERY
    Grave Reference: Plot 2 Row 16 Grave 4.
    Location: France
    Additional Info: Son of Colonel Francis David Millett Brown, V.C., I.S.C., and of Jessie Doris Brown, (nee Child).
    Personal Inscription: FOR YOU NOW IT REMAINS TO RIVAL WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. PERICLES
     
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

  4. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

    Portsmouth Evening News 10 June 1940.png
    Portsmouth Evening News 10th June 1940
     
    dbf likes this.
  5. vermesch

    vermesch Member

    Le colonel Brown est enterré au cimetière provisoire du parc Coquelle à Rosendaël près de Dunkerque. Sa tombe mal reconnue a été considérée comme inconnue pendant 8 ans. Finalement, ses restes ont été identifiés en juillet 1948 lorsque la Commission des sépultures de guerre a procédé à l’exhumation des corps des soldats britanniques enterrés là. Quelqu’un a-t-il un portrait de Vincent Christopher Brown?
     
  6. WilliamB

    WilliamB New Member

    He was my great-uncle so I have many photographs of him. He was known as Kit. At the time of his death he was GSO1 to General Montgomery.

    He was appointed probationary second lieutenant on 1st January 1912 (London Gazette, 16 January 1912, page 366).

    This is a picture of him on HMS London.
    VCB_on_HMS_London.jpg
     
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  7. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    WilliamB,

    Welcome aboard. I am sure others will ask if you can add more information.
     
  8. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Post 5 in French when translated says:
    Vermesch was here earlier this week and posts a little occasionally. I will send him a PM to alert to WillaimB's post.
     
  9. vermesch

    vermesch Member

    Hello
    Thank you for this picture as I didn't have a portrait of V.C. Brown. Do you have a picture of 139 or 1940? Thanks in advance
     
  10. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    vermesch,

    WilliamB was logged in a few days ago, it might help to alert to your request if you sent a PM.
     
  11. WilliamB

    WilliamB New Member

    No; a picture as 2Lt RM and somewhat curiously what appears to be him as a Lt Royal Artillery around 1914. He was in the Royal Marine Artillery but I've not seen anything that suggested that they wore RA uniforms with the grenade cap and epaulette badges. There is a 'course photograph' of the Higher Commanders course of 1934 with him as Lt Col RM in service dress; a joint Army/RAF course by the look of it.

    We also have a number of letters with the CWGC about exactly what was discussed before, the move of the bodies initially buried at what is now Chateau Coquelle (was know locally as Chateau Chapeau Rouge); moved in 1941 by the French authorities to Rosendael New Military Cemetery, and later post war to Dunkerque Town Cemetery. In that last move careful details were recorded such as boot size, dental work, medal ribbons, build. The family accepted the identification of the body in what is now the marked grave in 1955.

    It is recorded in Alan Brooke's diary that Monty sent his GSO1 'Mareeno' Brown to Brooke (as well as a dispatch rider) with the critical information of a German advance along the coast at Nieuport.
     

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