Date of birth:

October 20th, 1896 (Kensington/Greater London, United Kingdom)

Date of death:

March 14th, 1965 (Cornwall, United Kingdom)

Nationality:

British

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Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

December 14th, 1917

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

May 23rd, 1918

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Awarded on:

July 2nd, 1918

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He took command of three companies whose officers had all become casualties, reorganised them, and proceeded to consolidate. Exposing himself to very heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, in two hours he had placed the front line in a strong state of defence. The conduct of this officer, both in the assault and more especially afterwards, was beyond all praise, and the successful handing over of the front to the relieving unit as an entrenched and strongly fortified position was entirely due to his energy and skill."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major-General

Unit:

Headquarters, 1st Airborne Division, British Army

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1943

Awarded for:

Operation Torch

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Lieutenant General

Unit:

Headquarters, I Airborne Corps, British Army

Awarded on:

December 7th, 1944

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Lieutenant General

Unit:

Headquarters, I Airborne Corps, British Army

Awarded on:

March 22nd, 1945

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant-general

Unit:

Headquarters, I Airborne Corps, British Army

Awarded on:

July 18th, 1945

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

"Lieutenant General Frederick Arthur Montague Browning, British Army, as Deputy Commander, First Allied Airborne Army was Force Commander of Airborne operations in Holland, from 17 September 1944 to 9 December 1944. He prepared the original outline plan and executed the airborne operation which enabled the British Second Army to advance from Albert Canal to the southern banks of the river Lek at Arnhem, an advance of some sixty miles in six days, and which involved the passage of five major water obstacles at any one of which, but for preliminary airborne action the enemy might have imposed serious delay. By his personal qualities of leadership, he moulded his force of one British and two United States airborne divisions into a fighting team with an unrivalled esprit de corps. Leading his command into battle and personally appearing wherever the fighting was most critical he inspired the whole force in a manner which ensured the success of the operation. General Browning's service with the First Allied Airborne Army both in staff work and leadership was a major contribution to the Allied war effort."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant-general

Unit:

Headquarters, South East Asia Command (SEAC), Allied Forces

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1946

Rank:

Lieutenant-general

Awarded on:

June 1st, 1953

Rank:

Lieutenant-general

Awarded on:

May 14th, 1959

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

17 September 1944 WO 171/845 - 13/18 Royal Hussars
Op "Market Garden" commenced with the dropping of 3 Airborne Divisions - the 1st British at ARNHEM - the 82nd U.S. at NIJMEGEN and GRAVE - and the 101st U.S. (later to come under 30 Corps) in area EINDHOVEN all under command of Lt.Gen Browning. The object of the Operation is to secure and hold the crossings over the MEUSE and RHINE and their subsidiary canals, in preparation for the advance by 2nd Army with 30 Corps as the spearhead, directed on the Dutch Coast North West of APPELDORN. 8 Corps secure the right flank by the capture of WEERT and HELMOND and 12th Corps the left flank by the capture of TURNHOUT and an advance to the MEUSE.

19 September 1944 WO 171/341 - 30 Corps
The bridge at ZON was completed during the night and at 0600 hrs the advance was resumed with 2 HCR leading. Progress was very rapid against negligible opposition and contact was made with 82 Airborne Div at GRAVE 6253 at about 0830 hrs. By 1400 hrs leading patrols had reached R WAAL and 5 Gds Armd Bde were concentrated in area 5 km South of NIJMEGEN and Comd 30 Corps had contacted Lt-Gen Browning, Comd Airborne Corps.

24 September 1944 WO 171/341 - 30 Corps
32 Gds Bde continued to operate in VEGHEL area. At 1700 hrs the main axis was again cut by enemy infantry and tanks between VEGHEL and ST OEDENRODE and all traffic ceased. The Corps Commander who was visiting the Army Commander was unable to rejoin Corps HQ and spent the night at Rear Corps HQ which was at ST OEDENRODE on its way North. Gen Browning commanding Airborne Corps assumed temporary command of 30 Corps.

• Photo 1: IWM TR 174 (Public Domain)
• - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30431/supplement/13207
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30698/supplement/6061
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30780/supplement/7885
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36828/supplement/5616
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36994/supplement/1548
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38018/supplement/3319
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/39863/supplement/2946
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/41714/page/3319
  - Legion of Merit
  - Smart, N., Biographical Dictionary of British Generals of the Second World War, Pen & Sword Books Limited, Barnsley, England, 2005
  - Mead, R., Churchill’s Lions – A Biographical Guide to the Key British Generals of World War II, Spellmount Publishers Ltd., Chalford, England, 2007