WWII Spitfire pilots DFC group to 102143 FLT/LT ERIC "BOJO" BROWN, Royal Air Force.
Distinguished Flying Cross in box of issue officially dated 1944.
1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Burma Star and War Medal unnamed as issued.
Caterpillar Pin named to: F/LT E BROWN D.F.C.
R.A.F. - 136 SQUADRON SPITFIRE "ACE" OF BURMA AND THE PACIFIC AWARDED CATERPILLAR PIN
D.F.C. - LONDON GAZETTE - FEBRUARY 8, 1944
K.I.A. - BURMA - FEBRUARY 15, 1944
COMMEMORATED ON THE SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
Eric Brown was commissioned on 26 July 1941. He then attended the Sutton Bridge OTU, joining 136 Squadron in September. He accompanied them overseas shortly thereafter, the unit subsequently being diverted to Burma, where he reached the Rangoon area on 25 January 1942. Three days later he was scrambled, but his Hurricane was shot up by Ki 27 fighters. On 23 March he was shot down by Ki 43s ('Oscars'), bailing out of Z4650 into the sea with burns to his face and legs. Picked up by a native craft, he was evacuated to India in a DC 2. He returned to the unit later in the year, becoming 'B' Flight commander in December. A year later on 5 December 1943, Calcutta suffered a heavy air raid.
136 Squadron, which had recently converted to Spitfires, was one of those which sought to intercept, but was recalled before contact could be made. Brown ignored this order and continued alone, claiming one bomber shot down, although his own aircraft was damaged and he was obliged to crash land. He again had to crash land after his next combat on 31 December, but on 8 February 1944 the award of a DFC was gazetted. A week later however, on 15 February, he was again shot down, but this time was killed.
It was subsequently reported that he had managed to crash land JW767, but was then killed when the aircraft was strafed. He was variously reported as being 31 or 35 at this time.
Eric Brown had four confirmed kills, one probable and one damaged.
Sold with paperwork, book featuring a picture of Brown (Spitfire Aces of Burma and the Pacific) and silver napkin ring with squadron logo and named to brown.
Product Code: EM3893
