The Airmen's Stories - F/O M P Brown

Maurice Peter Brown was born in London on 17th June 1919 and was educated at Holloway School. He joined the RAF on a short service commission and began his flying training on 4th April 1938.

In mid-June Brown went to 5 FTS Sealand where he was awarded his wings in September. After completing the course he was posted to No. 1 Electrical and Wireless School at Cranwell in January 1939 as a staff pilot.

On 21st September Brown joined 611 Squadron at Duxford. During the winter of 1939/40 the squadron flew convoy patrols, losing several pilots because of atrocious weather conditions.

Over Dunkirk on 2nd June 1940 its first major action was with a large formation of Me109s. Brown's Spitfire was damaged and he landed at Southend with a burst tyre.

He shared in the destruction of a Do17 on 21st August over the sea at Mabelthorpe. During September 611 Squadron flew as part of the Duxford Wing. On the 15th Brown destroyed a He111 and shared a probable Do17.

On 28th September Brown went to 41 Squadron at Hornchurch. Two days later he damaged a Do17. He shot down a Me109 on 20th October and the pilot baled out near Ashford. Brown landed at West Malling and collected the German pilot's lifejacket as confirmation of his victory.

In January 1942 Brown was appointed 'A' Flight Commander. He was posted away on 28th June to 61 OTU Heston as a Flight Commander. On 15th July he was transferred to the Empire Flying School at Hullavington and qualified as a flying instructor in October 1942. Brown was then posted to the Hurricane OTU at Tealing as a Flight Commander.

From 21st July 1943 Brown was attached to the FTS at Cranwell, where he trained Turkish pilots on Spitfires to operational level. On 1st January 1944 he was posted to Training Command as Squadron Leader Flying and OC Satellite at 5, 9 and 14 AFUs, flying Harvards and Oxfords.

Awarded the AFC (gazetted 1st January 1946), Brown was released from the RAF later in the year as a Squadron Leader.

He entered the plastics industry and in 1965 gained a Fellowship of the Plastics Institute. After retirement, Brown continued as a management consultant. For many years he was busy as a healer, working with cancer patients and in a healing clinic.

He died on 20th January 2011.