The personal effects of a Canadian World War II aviator were found and returned to his family

July 4, 2025 – Defense news

Legend

Aviation second lieutenant Gilbert Frederick Brown died in service in England the January 28 1943 during a training accident during the Second World War. He was aged 23 ans At the time of his death.

Management – History and Patraval (DHP) Recently supported the restitution of objects associated with a Canadian Aviator of the Second World War. The objects were recovered as a result of a criminal investigation concerning the illicit excavation of crushing sites of the Second World War in the United Kingdom.

The second lieutenant d’aviation (slt) Gilbert Frederick Brown lost his life in January 1943 During a flight collision during training in England. Some of its personal effects had not been found on the accident site at the time, including sunglasses, an aluminum cigarette case carrying the initials « GFB »a portfolio containing photos, ration stamps and coins, a marked key « Made in Canada »as well as songs and pimples of its uniform.

Following the recent investigation, objects were returned to Canada, according to a chain of possession protocol involving the Casualty and Compassionate center center of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense, the Canada Defense Attaché Bureau at the Maison du Canada in London, England, and the DHP in Ottawa. The descendants of the SLT Brown were identified and located by a DHP historian, which allowed management to transfer objects to his family to the United States-the culmination of a real effort of collaboration between the Canadian Armed Forces and their counterparts in the United Kingdom.

Legend

During a major criminal investigation linked to the illicit excavation of crushing sites of the Second World War in the United Kingdom, the authorities recovered some of the personal effects of the Brown aviation second lieutenant, including his sunglasses, her uniform buttons and coins, and returned them to his family.

Gilbert Frederick Brown was born the November 17th 1919 in Birmingham, England, Gilbert Charles and Lillian (née Horton) Brown. His family emigrated to Canada in 1921, when he has only 17 monthsand the student in Toronto. He worked as a commitment to technical services before enlisting in royal aviation Canadian (Arc) in Toronto, in avril 1941.

In mars 1942then a 2nd class aviator, he marries Mary Elsie May Westhead in Toronto. Their only child was born later in the year.

After obtaining his pilot patent and being promoted to the rank of section sergeant, he was assigned overseas in avril 1942 and joins the 411th squadron Arc in Digby, Lincolnshire, England. He obtained his aviation sub-lieutenant commission in December 1942.

Legend

The objects recovered and returned to the family of the Brown aviation second lieutenant include this aluminum cigarette case carrying the initials « GFB ».

The January 28 1943, he took part in an air combat exercise during training. Training is dangerous; More than a third of deaths abroad of the members of the Arc during the Second World War are not attributable to enemy actions. During the exercise, the Spitfire he pilots collided with another Spitfire. The Slt Brown, then aged 23 ansis killed instantly.

His family is closely interested in the history of their ” uncle Gil ». Upon receipt of objects, his niece Lorel, on behalf of his family, has that: « Ces objects are a visual testimony that is punchy by the fact that the one Gil sacrificed his life for the cause of freedom, leaving behind his young wife and his son of three month. »»

The SLT Gilbert Frederick Brown is one of the 37 Canadian aviators buried in the cemetery of Scopwick Churchin Lincolnshire, in England. Everyone lost their lives while they were in office in Digby, in Lincolnshire.