Peter Brown

To be completed

Find A Grave record (If Available)

Peter Brown’s operational history compiled by Dave Gilbert, Losses Archivist, IBCC, 16 March 2023

 I can say for certain that he was posted into 625 Sqn (Scampton) from 1668 HCU effective 13/5/45. 

Unfortunately 625 Sqn stopped keeping Records of Events after they completed Op. Manna and from then on only recorded Summaries of Events. They do not list individual crews, instead simply stating (for example) that ‘8 aircraft took off on operation “DODGE”). 

However, this was not the dead end I feared it would be. Fortunately the Appendices to the ORBs contain training manifests and five of these feature Peter Brown, as follows:

(AIR27/2144 page 207 onwards refers): 5/7/45 Flew as Rear Gunner in aircraft -P2 skippered by F/L Zala. Purpose not stated. 9 aircraft detailed plus 1 reserve Unknown date (in the fold of the binder on TNA scanned copy so can’t see it) Flew as Rear Gunner in aircraft - J skippered by F/L Zala. 8 aircraft detailed + 1 reserve 2/8/45 

Flew as WOp/AG on Op. Dodge training in aircraft -C2 skippered by F/L Turner. 4 aircraft detailed 17/8/45 Flew as WOp/AG on Op. Dodge training in aircraft -C2 skippered by F/L Turner. 7 aircraft detailed 1/9/45 Flew as WOp/AG on Op. Dodge training in aircraft -E2 skippered by F/L Turner. 8 aircraft detailed These are the pre-ops he took part in and by inference he therefore probably flew five ops. The corresponding Summary of Events for the period listed above included the following actual ops (AIR 27/2143 page 931 onwards refers): 5/7/45 9 a/c on Post Mortem flight- all returned same day. 23/7/45 2 a/c on Op Dodge. 2/8/45 4 a/c on Op Dodge (all returned 4/8) 5/8/45 3 a/c on Op Dodge (2 returned 7/8, last one returned 11/8) 17/8/45 7 a/c on Op. Dodge (all returned 20/8) 21/8/45 9 a/c on Op. Dodge (8 returned 24/8) 28/8/45 3 a/c on Op. Dodge (2 returned 29/8, last one returned 31/8) 1/9/45 8 a/c on Op. Dodge (7 returned 3/9, last one returned 4/9) 9/9/45 7 a/c on Op. Dodge (5 returned 12/9, 2 returned 13/9) 14/9/45 10 a/c on Op. Dodge (all returned 18/9) The squadron was stood down following the last op listed above. What’s striking is the close correlation between the training flights and the actual op dates (see yellow highlighted dates) and the exact match with the numbers of aircraft despatched (see blue highlights), all of which increase my confidence enormously. I also note that at the foot of each of the manifests in every case it mentions rations which would not have been issued if they were simple training flights. I think that shows beyond doubt that they were pre-op air tests. So, we have one Post Mortem and three Op Dodge ops. The op between 5/7 and 2/8 continues to elude me since there were no ops detailed in the Summaries between 5/7 and 23/7 and the a/c numbers don’t correspond with the 23/7 op. Without a definitive date I don’t think I can any more on this. A date could be ascertained only by viewing the originals at TNA. However, we can take this as being an actual op. and not just a training flight since it once again discusses the issuing of rations. 

Funeral Service

A service to mark the life of Flight Sergeant Peter Brown, thought to be one of, if not the last of the so-called ‘Pilots of the Caribbean’, was held at St Clement Danes, the RAF Central Church, in Westminster on 25 May at 11 am. 

The announcement by Westminster City Council and the Royal Air Force came after plans to hold a funeral at Mortlake Crematorium were postponed because of a surge in requests to attend from well-wishers.

Arrangements were made to ensure Mr. Brown received a dignified send-off worthy of his life story. 

In keeping with his military background, the RAF hosted Mr. Brown’s funeral at St Clement Danes Church in his home borough of Westminster.

St Clement Danes, The Central Church of the RAF, has a significantly larger capacity than the previous venue, which allowed for many more people to pay their respects.

600 spaces in the church had been reserved for the public.  Priority access was given to those with a connection to Mr Brown.

Mr Brown, who was originally from Jamaica, came to the UK at the height of the Second World War to volunteer for service in the RAF.  He flew in Lancaster bombers carrying out a number of missions as a radio operator and gunner.  After the war he stayed in the RAF before joining civilian life.

Mr. Brown died at his Maida Vale home, aged 96, in December 2022.  With no obvious family the arrangements for his interment came under Westminster City Council. Council officers began a search for relatives, which quickly got taken up by historians, military researchers, genealogists and community groups.

Since then, there has been a search spanning the globe looking for his relatives and a number of leads were followed up by council officers and genealogists.

Leader of  Westminster City Council, Cllr Adam Hug said: 

"The national response to Peter Brown’s story has been overwhelming. The details of his life and subsequent search for relatives have truly captured the public imagination and moved people around the world. 

Our priority was always to ensure Mr Brown received a fitting, dignified, send-off that allowed those who wished to pay their respects, the opportunity to have done so.

We are grateful to the RAF who stepped in and provided a perfect venue to reflect Peter’s military service. We worked with the RAF, community groups and well-wishers to ensure the service represented the many aspects of Mr. Brown’s life."

Source: City of Westminster

An RAF Spokesperson said:

"Flight Sergeant Brown is an example of the selfless contribution of all Commonwealth personnel who have served throughout the RAF’s history. We should never forget their sacrifices which have defended our freedom and kept us safe."