JAMES ARTHUR BROWN

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Born: September 1923, Edmonton, Middlesex. Family home: 50, St. Marks Road, Bush Hill Park, Enfield.

Residence: Ipswich.

Died: 3rd May 1945; age: 21; aircraft did not return from an anti-shipping mission.

Rank: Flight Sergeant/Pilot; Service Number: 1393134.

Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 181 Squadron.

The body was originally buried at Bussau Cemetery. On the 20th June 1947, the body was exhumed, identified and re-buried at Hamburg Cemetery.

Grave Reference:

5A.N.8.

Hamburg Cemetery,

Hamburg,

Germany.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Arthur William Brown & Florence Rebecca Brown, of Ipswich.

Father: Arthur William Brown, born 1881, Amwell, Hertfordshire. A railway signalman.

Mother: Florence Rebecca Brown (nee Francis).

James is also remembered on the war memorial at St Mary at Stoke Church, Ipswich.

3rd May 1945

Aircraft: Hawker Typhoon 1b – a single-seat ground attack fighter; Serial Number: JP383. On the 1st May 1944, the squadron moved to Advanced Landing Ground B156 at Luneburg, Germany. It was around this time that James joined the squadron. On the 3rd May, the squadron carried out two ground attack sorties (and launched but recalled a third) against German ground targets, including military vehicles and aircraft on the ground. Two further sorties were then launched against German shipping off Kiel. The first involved twelve aircraft and the second ten aircraft. James was a pilot in the first anti-shipping mission. He did not return, and none of the other squadron aircraft saw what happened to him. His body was recovered and buried. Some reports suggest his aircraft was hit by flak, but this seems unlikely as the Germans were in near total disarray and none of the other squadron aircraft reported encountering any flak. Although he may have been shot down, it is possible his aircraft suffered some form of failure, leading to loss of control.

Aircraft information courtesy of John Allan.