The Airmen's Stories - F/Sgt. F S Brown

Frederick Sydney Brown was born on 27th November 1912 in Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland and joined the RAF as an Aircraft Apprentice on 24th April 1929. He passed out as a clerk on 28th April 1931.

He later applied for pilot training and was accepted.

He married Frances Renee Sheila Ryall in July 1938 in Bromley, Kent.

Brown was serving with 79 Squadron at the outbreak of war. On 24th February 1940 he shared in shooting down a Do17 over Hawkinge, which crashed into the Channel. On 4th July Brown damaged a Do17.

The squadron was then rotated to Acklington, moving to Biggin Hill on 27th August 1940.

The next day Brown was aloft in Hurricane P2769. He was shot down and baled out, landing at Partridge Farm, Sellindge near Lympne. He was admitted to Ashford Hospital with 'Shock & multiple abrasions'. His aircraft came down at Wye.

His later service is currently undocumented until he was commissioned in September 1941 from Warrant Officer.

Brown retired on 9th December 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant.

He died on 14th December 1956.