SQMS Henry Brown RASC (No1 Commando)
 

Thought this may be of interest relating to SQMS Henry Brown RASC, No 1 Commando. I purchased a small part of a militaria collectors collection many years ago mainly badges though i also obtained some of his files. Within the files i came across a letter from Henry Brown in response correspondence received from the collector. The letter i have attached (personal details removed) makes reference to his commando uniform and changes to it, use of the salamander badge and refers to a photograph which i have also found in documents i obtained. The letter has never been published as far as i know. Within the documents there is also a first hand account of his active service, again, i don`t think this has been published, copy attached. An interesting account from training, to Norway, Tunisia and on to the Far East. In Tunisia he mentions that the commandos were wearing US Army steel helmets, some of their smocks as well as using the American Garrand rifle! There is also a copy of the Bob Laycock speech addressing the commandos in October 1945 which is refered to in Henry Browns letter.
Henry Brown was involved with the commando association from the end of the war till he sadly passed away 26th February 2006.
I have attached relevant information though if anybody want i high res copy, PM me with your email and i will be happy to forward on.
The first hand account along with Henry`s recollections of changes to uniform hopefully will be of interest.
Kind regards, Dave

SQMS Henry Brown RASC (No1 Commando)
 

Additional Info obtained from The Commando Association website.

http://www.commandoveterans.org/

Wonderful stuff Dave, thanks so much for sharing, interesting insight to No 1 Commando and Henry Brown - Regards Mark

Hi Dave
This is wonderful stuff. I was a good friend of both Henry, and his successor as Secretary to the Commando Association (Ron). I drove them both to St Nazaire for a reunion of Operation Chariot personnel. Henry would not travel in the official coach as he felt he did not merit it, having not served on the operation. When the French police saw Henry in the back of my car with his Green Beret on, two police motorcyle outriders arrived on the scene and escorted us through the town, stopping all traffic. Quite an experience. Henry fought at Kangaw, and when I spoke to Brigadier Ken Trevor about him he said he was a fine soldier who fought with his typewriter in his pack and who used his battledress as an office - different pockets providing his filing system... As Ken emphasised, there were no passengers in a Commando, only fighting men. Ken got a DSO for his command of No.1 Cdo at Kangaw, and recommended 'Nobby' Knowland for his posthumous VC. Sorry I digress ... great memories and topped by a meal at Cafe Gandre in the back room where Arlene served a Beef Bourguignon cooked in three litres of red wine. We were joined by the French Commando Veterans Association President and Secretary. Henry was at the time President of the Original Commando Association, and Ron the Secretary - she was celebrating having British and French Commando Association Presidents and Secretaries together. I was lucky to be there. All enjoyed the 30 year old Calvados she opened - although I had little, being the driver. What memories. Henry did share a lot of information with me, but it great to learn more - sincere thanks for sharing - PM sent - Regards Mike PS - A veteran I met in Cardiff told me he felt the Garrand rifle was a major factor in victory at Kangaw hill 170.

Hi Mike,
thanks for the further detail, much appreciated. Kind regards Dave

Henry Brown 1 Commando
 

Hi all,
Just registered on here, after finding it via a Google search for Henry Brown and 1 Commando, as I’m researching my grandfathers (Thomas Hall) Second World War journey, and they were together in the same unit, plus No.2 Independent Company before that as well, so was grateful to come across this forum website and see information on here that has filled some gaps in my research, so with that, could I please ask if I could copy the documents and maybe share them too? Also, is there anything else of Henry Brown or the unit’s mentioned that could be of use to augment what I already have, including capbadges, shoulder flashes and badges, lanyard, paybook, release papers and much more. I had correspondence with Henry and Ron later on, before and after my grandfathers passing in 1982, as he was in was in Norway where he was wounded at Bodo, Norway and then No.1 Commando, after he recovered, through French coast raids, Operation Torch, the Med, Burma and Hong Kong. He was in Henry’s Admin HQ troop before being transferred to 3 troop before the Battle of Hill 170, Kangaw. Have enjoyed reading the documents and seeing the photos on here. Look forward to any replies and thanks in advance.
Regards,
Darren Little.

Hello Darren - it sounds like your quest deserves a 'thread' of its own on here. It would be great to see images of any attributed family items you have and of course the research you are doing is a great tribute to your grandfather. It is good your items have been, and continue to be, treasured by family members. Have you looked at the Commando Veterans Association web site too? ... their archive is impressive and may also help. They also have a Forum if you choose to join.
http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/main.php
Hoping this is helpful
Mike

Hi Mike, thanks for the reply, appreciate it. Luckily to have seen that link before, have a page of images on there for my grandfather, Pte. Thomas Hall, from Cwmbran, South Wales. I’ll post up images from there and others that I have over the coming days and weeks, maybe a thread of its own, as you suggested. I have some info on his service, will be applying again for his records soon (first request returned at the start of the 1st lockdown), but just after whatever is out there of his journey, just looking in the right places, as the info from Dave about Henry, added to it as well, might have to go off on a tangent to reveal something new, all worth the effort of research for those moments. Thank you in advance for your interest and anything else that can be gleaned from this forum. All the best.

Hoping to see anything you wish to post - it would definitely be worthy of a thread of its own - Regards Mike