Mark Henry Brown

Wing Commander Mark Henry Brown DFC* (9 October 1911 – 12 November 1941), nicknamed Hilly, was the first Canadian pilot to become a fighter ace during World War II whilst serving with the Royal Air Force during the Battle of France. He fought in the Battle of Britain and was killed in action in November 1941 over Sicily.

Brown was a son of Mr. and Mrs. S. T. Brown, of Glenboro, Manitoba. Whilst working for the Bank of Montreal (the building occupied by the Bank pre-war still stands on Rosser Avenue) he learned to fly at Brandon Flying club and, after passing the required medical, left Canada to join the RAF in May 1936.

After completing his flight training, Pilot Officer Brown joined No. 1 Squadron in February 1937. He was promoted to Flying Officer in December 1938.

World War II

At the beginning of September 1939, Brown's squadron was deployed to France as part of the RAF Advanced Air Striking Force. On 23 November 1939, Brown was credited with half a kill of a Dornier 17 whilst flying a Hawker Hurricane.

During the Battle of France in early 1940, Brown was involved in heavy fighting and on 20 April 1940 he claimed his first confirmed kill on a Messerschmitt Bf 109. He became the first Canadian pilot to reach ace status (five confirmed kills) on 14 May 1940 by claiming another Messerschmitt 109 destroyed. it is claimed that he was also the first Allied pilot to fly a captured German aircraft - a Messerschmitt Bf 109 - flying it to Britain where it was evaluated.

With the French surrender to the Germans, Brown came back to Britain and was shot down over Harwich on 15 August 1940 but managed to bail out suffering only minor injuries.

On 3 September 1940 Brown was promoted to Flight Lieutenant. In October 1941 he was posted to the Middle East.

Death

On 12 November 1941, along with Wing Commander Alexander Rabagliati, while operating from Malta, he led a strafing attack on the Italian airfield at Gela in Sicily. During the attack, Brown's Hurricane was hit by anti-aircraft fire and his plane crashed at the airfield. A little while later, during a raid on Malta, an Italian aircraft dropped a message that Brown had been buried with full military honours.

His record details 17 enemy aircraft destroyed and four shared kills.

• 30 July 1940 - Acting Flight Lieutenant Mark Henry Brown (37904) is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross

Since the beginning of the war Flight Lieutenant Brown has destroyed at least sixteen enemy aircraft. On 14th June, when leading his flight on patrol, he encountered nine enemy bombers, two of which were destroyed. Later he attacked nine Messerschmitt 109s, destroying one and driving the remainder off. As a result of bullets entering his aircraft he force landed near Caen, and was unable to rejoin the squadron before it withdrew from France. Flight Lieutenant Brown has shown courage of the highest order, and has led many flights with great success and determination when consistently outnumbered by enemy aircraft.

• 23 May 1941 - Acting Squadron Leader Mark Henry Brown DFC (37904), No. 1 Squadron, Royal Air Force, is awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross

This officer has commanded the squadron with outstanding success. He has destroyed a further two enemy aircraft bringing his total victories to at least 18. His splendid leadership and dauntless spirit have been largely instrumental in maintaining a high standard of efficiency throughout the squadron.

— London Gazette

• 12 January 1943 - Czechoslovak Military Cross to Acting Squadron Leader Mark Henry Brown, DFC (37904), Royal Air Force