Date of birth:

December 4th, 1920 (Southfields/London, Great Britain)

Date of death:

February 10th, 2008

Nationality:

British

Servicenumber 235514.
Before the war, Henry Faulkner Brown studied architecture at King’s College in Newcastle. Therefore it was obvious that he joined the Corps of Royal Engineers on the outbreak of war. He completed his military training with the Durham Light Infantry and subsequently became a paratrooper.
As a captain he commanded a unit of the 4th Parachute Field Squadron Royal Engineers and participated in Operation Market Garden. Right after the war he and his unit assisted in disarming German troops in Norway.
After demobilization, he resumed his studies, after having graduated he moved to Canada where he lived and worked for 12 years. Among other things, he designed the National Library of Canada in Ottawa. Back in London, he designed Jesmond Library, a circular readng space in the corner of St. George’s Crescent in St. James’ Park in London.
In 1982 he was awarded the OBE for his contribution to architecture and to society. In 2006, his book “A Sapper in Arnhem” was published.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Corps of Royal Engoneers

Awarded on:

November 9th, 1944

Citation:
"Between 20.9.44 and 22.9.44, this officer with 30 OR's was attached to my {Major Wilson} Coy {21st Independent Parachute Company}. He held a part of the front which was very exposed to the enemy fire. During the period this officer made several sorties to drive off enemy massing for an assault. He led a small party which destroyed an S.P. gun and regardless of the enemy fire at close range continuously went from trench to trench giving his men encouragement. His two senior officers were killed and most of his men became casualties but by his personal courage and example he encouraged his few remaining men to drive back nine determined attacks by the enemy and not one yard of ground was surrendered."

• - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36785 published on the 7 November 1944
  - The Pegasus Archive
  - The Battle of Arnhem Archive
  - 20th Century Architecture in Newcastle upon Tyne