Herbert was born 7/08/1925 in Chatham, ON.  He was the son of Mr. Guy and Mary Elizabeth Brown of Chatham Twsp., Kent Co. ON. Herbert is the brother of Tpr. Robert Joseph Brown (the CDN 27/10/44 reported Robert was in Belgium) and PO. Dean Russell, stationed at Shelburne NS. Herbert attended the Chatham Vocational School.  He was a former member of the Chatham Daily News Advertising Department prior to enlisting.

As told to nephew, Brian Brown:   My Uncle enlisted at 17 and eventually trained as a belly gunner.  He participated on a medical mission flight to an area near Singapore in which they were to fly a doctor to an area near Singapore.  The doctor was parachuted to the site, however, broke his ankle upon landing.  The medic who was also on the flight was then parachuted in to aid the doctor, which caused the record in long flight time.  F/O Donald Cottingham of Tilbury was also on this flight and neither of these men had met prior to this legendary flight.  Herb had grown up on the family farm in Dover Township.  

(CDN could have the wrong initial of Herbert – Should be M. as the same person than J.)  It was reported that H. J. and Pte. Duncan Baxter were on a short furlouge and staying at his parents home on Princess St. North, Chatham, ON. from their duties at Niagara-on-the Lake where they returned in March, 1942. CDN 13/03/42

Herbert enlisted with the 2^nd Kent Regt. Herb transferred to the RCAF in August of 1943. He reported to the Manning Depot for Basic Training and Air Crew Selection.  He was posted to Guelph 13/09/43. 

Herbert served with 2nd Kents.

Herbert trained in Toronto, Guelph and Calgary, AB. In November of 1943, he trained for seven months as a wireless operator. The CDN 18/07/44 reported that PO Brown graduated and received his commission at the Wings Parade, held at Fingal. He then went to Fengal, ON for bombing and gunnery training for six weeks, graduating as a Pilot Offer in August 1944. The CDN August, 1944 reported that PO Brown was visiting his parents in Chatham Twsp. before leaving for RCAF-Lachine, PQ.

Before going to England, he was stationed for some time with the RAF at Nassau, Bahamas as reported in the CDN 27/10/44 for operational training on bombers.

He was posted to Calgary in November 7th, 1943 for seven months for training at a wireless school. 

On June 5th, 1944 arrived at Fingal for six weeks Gunnery training. Received Wireless Air Gunner Wing and Commission as Pilot Officer on July 14th, 1944. Before going to England he was stationed for some time with the RAF at Nassau, Bahamas reported in the CDN 27/10/44 for operational training on bombers.

Curators Note: There appears that there is some confusion as to when he was commissioned. There is no way of knowing which is correct. JRH.

Posted to Nassau, Bahamas. Arrived in Nassau August 25th 1944 for Operational Training and Crew Selection. Converted to heavy bombers. Posted to United Kingdom December 15th, 1944.  Herbert went overseas to England 15 December of 1944 for squadron assignment. The CDN 5 01/45 reported that PO. Brown had been stationed at RAF Nassau before going to England where he joined a RCAF station.  Arrived in England January 2nd, 1945 and posted to South-East Asia on February 28th, 1945, he left Liverpool aboard the ship ‘Mauretania’ bound for Bombay and from there to Ceylon joining RAF 160 Squadron.  Completed first tour of operations the week of V-J Day, which included a 24 hour 10 minute operation to target north of Singapore.

While he was serving with the RAF – Indian Ocean Air Force, 2 ½ weeks before V-J Day, (15 Aug. 1945), in a B-24 Liberator, flown by Flt. – Lieut. J. A. Muir (RCAF) of Vancouver, BC. The aircraft based in Ceylon set an endurance record for S. E. Asia. Patrols of 22 hours, covering 3400 miles are almost daily routine for this group, Muir and his crew flew 24 hours and 10 minutes to a target north of Singapore.. Weather more than intention was the main cause of the long flight in trying to avoid bad weather accounted for many alterations from the flight plan. Also on this flight was F/O Donald Cottingham of Tilbury was also in that crew. See Cottinghan Donald Allan.

Arrived in Bombay March 14th, 1945 Assigned to special duties Squadron in Ceylon. Completed tour of Operations (400 hours flying against the Japanese over occupied territory in Malaya) On completion of Tour posted to Bombay for Repatriation to England. Arrived in England October 26th, 1945 to await passage to Canada. Arrived in Canada February 6th, 1946.

Discharged March 6th, 1946.

In August 2025 Herbert will celebrate 100th year.  He currently lives at the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards	1939 to 1945 Star, Burma Star, CVSM & Clasp
Sources	TUCW-RH, IODE(P), CCI-RH, WRH-MW, CDN 5/01/45,, NB(P),, IODE-IS, Herb Brown, CDN(5), Ashlee Andrews, Granddaughter

Birthplace	Chatham, Township, Ontario
Religion	Protestant
When Enlisted	August 23rd, 1943
Next of Kin	Mother- Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Brown

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