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

Herbert enlisted with the 2^nd Kent Regt. Herb transferred to the RCAF in August of 1943. Herbert 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.

 

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, 1801-13 Nichol Ave., Whitby, ON. L1N 9K1, 905-576-6426. ,, CDN(5)

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

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