John Frederick Beaufoy Brown DSC, RN
| Born | 1 Jun 1910 |
| Ranks
Retired: 7 Jan 1963 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for John Frederick Beaufoy Brown, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Unity (N 66) | Lt. | Submarine | 15 Jun 1939 | 20 Apr 1940 |
| HMS Taku (N 38) | Lt. | Submarine | 17 Oct 1940 | 22 Apr 1941 |
| HMS Otus (N 92) | Lt. | Submarine | 22 Apr 1941 | May 1941 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine HMS Unity (N 66)
31 Aug 1939
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed Blyth to take up a patrol position in the Heligoland Bight. When war broke out between Britain and Germany this became her 1st war patrol.
For the daily positions of HMS Unity during this patrol see the map below.
(1)
13 Sep 1939
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Blyth.
All three U-class boats suffered from engine defects upon returning from patrol. Unity was out of action for about four weeks. (1)
11 Oct 1939
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted engine trials off Blyth. (2)
12 Oct 1939
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted engine trials off Blyth.
(2)
13 Oct 1939
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted engine trials off Blyth.
(2)
14 Oct 1939
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed Blyth for Rosyth where she arrived later the same day. (2)
15 Oct 1939
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed Blyth for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Denmark.
For the daily positions of HMS Unity during this patrol see the map below.
(1)
27 Oct 1939
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Rosyth. (1)
5 Nov 1939
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed Rosyth for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Skagerrak.
For the daily positions of HMS Unity during this patrol see the map below.
(1)
21 Nov 1939
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Blyth. (1)
28 Nov 1939
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed Blyth for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to cover the retreat of the damaged HMS Triad
(Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN).
No log or patrol report are available so no map can be displayed. (1)
2 Dec 1939
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Blyth. (1)
13 Dec 1939
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed Blyth for her 5th war patrol as large German warships had been sighted. Unity was recalled the next day.
No log or patrol report are available so no map can be displayed. (1)
15 Dec 1939
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Blyth. (1)
21 Dec 1939
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed Blyth for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Denmark.
For the daily positions of HMS Unity during this patrol see the map below.
(1)
5 Jan 1940
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Blyth. (1)
12 Jan 1940
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) was docked at Blyth.
Undocking date is not known but this was most likely on or around 24 January. (3)
8 Feb 1940
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (3)
25 Feb 1940
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed Portsmouth for Harwich. (3)
26 Feb 1940
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) arrived at Harwich. (3)
29 Feb 1940
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed Blyth for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Norway.
No log is available so no map can be displayed. (1)
11 Mar 1940
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Blyth. (1)
24 Mar 1940
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed Blyth for her 8th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Skagerrak.
No log is available so no map can be displayed. (1)
30 Mar 1940
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 8th war patrol at Blyth. (1)
2 Apr 1940
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed Blyth for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Denmark and later in the Skagerrak.
No log or patrol report are available so no map can be displayed. (1)
5 Apr 1940 (position 56.03, 6.35)
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) attacked German U-boat U-2 with three torpedoes in the North Sea in position 56°03'N, 06°35'E. The torpedoes however miss the target.
0837 hours - In position 56°03'N, 06°35'E sighted a outward bound uboat. There was a very rough sea and a heavy swell at the time, making depth keeping extremely difficult. The uboat, which appeared to be of the 250 tons class, was first seen at a range of 3000 yards. The four internal bow tubes were brought to the ready but the outer door of no. 4 tube could not be opened so t could not be fired.
0848 hours - Fired three torpedoes from 2000 yards. Two torpedo explosions were heard one at 0856 hours and one at 0902 hours. HE of the target was still heard after the first explosion but owning to the state of the sea the target could not be seen. It was feared the attack was not succesful. (1)
9 Apr 1940 (position 55.58, 6.33)
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) was hunted and depth charged by what was thought to be a German 'Q-ship'. Unity managed to escape without damage.
1600 hours - Unity surfaced for a sun sight in position 55°58'N, 06°33'E. Upon surfacing a vessel was sighted hull down to the Northward. Dived and set a course to close.
1650 hours - The vessel was now at only 1000 yards range. The Asdic operator reported that she had stopped her engines. Shortly afterwards two depth charges exploded close by. Unity now tried to get into an attack position as this vessel was now cleary hostile. The attempts however failed as the target kept bows on.
1710 hours - The attemps to get into a firing position were now abandoned and Unity retired slowly to the West.
1724 hours - Speed was now increased. This was immediately followed by four depth charges.
1726 hours - Four more depth charges were dropped.
1728 hours - Six more depth charges were dropped. The enemy was heard to steam up and down.
1755 hours - Three more depth charges were dropped.
1840 hours - Two more depth charges were dropped. These were not very close.
1930 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight. (1)
17 Apr 1940
HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Blyth. (1)
Submarine HMS Taku (N 38)
17 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted exercises in Loch Long. (4)
18 Oct 1940
Around 1545A/18, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 7th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Bay of Biscay of Lorient / St. Nazaire.
Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Cachalot (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Luce, RN). They were escorted by HMS La Surprise (Capt.(Retd.) E.Stubbs, RN).
The submarines parted company with the escort around 0730A/18 to the west of the Scilly Isles.
For the daily positions of HMS Taku during this patrol see the map below.
(5)
2 Nov 1940 (position 46.54, -3.50)
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) torpedoed and lightly damaged the German tanker Gedania (8923 GRT, built 1920) in the Bay of Biscay about 35 nautical miles south-west of Belle-Ile island in position 46°54'N, 03°50'W with a dud torpedo.
The tanker came from the Canary Islands and had on board very valuable whale oil. She arrived at Saint Nazaire later the same day.
HMS Taku left patrol at 2000A/2.
0230A/2 - In position 46°54'N, 03°50'W sighted a large tanker bearing 190°. Enemy course was 020°. Started attack.
0238A/2 - Fired eight torpedoes from 800 yards. After 30 seconds there were three heavy explosions. These explosions even caused some damage to Taku. Taku was diving at the moment of the explosion but was still on the surface.
0247A/2 - Surfaced. The tanker could not be seen and there was a pronounced smell of oil fuel present. It was thought the tanker had been sunk.
0300A/2 - Cleared the area to the west on the surface. (5)
6 Nov 1940
Around 1000A/6, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Holy Loch.
(5)
8 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) is wiped (degaussed) at Holy Loch. (6)
14 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburg. (6)
15 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Long. (6)
18 Nov 1940
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted W/T trials and attack exercises on Inchmarnock Water during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) acted as target. (6)
21 Nov 1940
Around 0930A/21, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 8th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Bay of Biscay off the Gironde estuary.
Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN). The submarines were escorted by HMS La Surprise (Capt.(Retd.) E.Stubbs, RN).
The submarines parted company with the escort around 0335A/23 when off Wolf Rock.
For the daily positions of HMS Taku during this patrol see the map below.
(5)
6 Dec 1940
At 1900A/6, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) set course to leave patrol and return to Holy Loch. (5)
10 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000A/10, near Longships Lighthouse, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) joined her escort, HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). They then set course for Holy Loch. (7)
12 Dec 1940
Around 1030A/12, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 8th war patrol at Holy Loch. (8)
22 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted noise trials at Holy Loch. (8)
26 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted noise trials at Holy Loch. (8)
27 Dec 1940
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Troon where she was immediately docked in the graving dock. (8)
3 Jan 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) is undocked. (9)
4 Jan 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) proceeded from Troon to Holy Loch. (9)
7 Jan 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted diving and noise trials in Loch Long. (9)
8 Jan 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Troon. (9)
9 Jan 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) is docked again at Troon for some more repairs to her torpedo tubes.
(9)
11 Jan 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) is undocked. (9)
12 Jan 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) proceeded from Troon to Holy Loch. (9)
13 Jan 1941
Around 0845A/13, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 9th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Bay of Biscay off Brest and Lorient. During her passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) until midnight during the night of 14/15 January when they parted company near Wolf Rock. (5)
13 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Taku during this patrol see the map below.
31 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2002A/31, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) surfaced after a day's of submerged patrol. Course was then set to return to Holy Loch. (10)
3 Feb 1941
Around 1700A/3, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 9th war patrol, which had been entirely uneventful, at Holy Loch. (5)
13 Feb 1941
During 13 and 14 February 1941, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN), conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included night and gunnery exercises. (11)
17 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Long. (11)
19 Feb 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. (11)
20 Feb 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted night exercises in the Clyde area together with HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSC, RN). (11)
24 Feb 1941
For the daily positions of HMS Taku during the (aborted) passage from Holy Loch to Halifax see the map below.
(5)
27 Feb 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) has to abandon the passage to Halifax as she is damaged in heavy weather. The after hydroplanes are 'locked' in a vertical position rendering the ship un-maneuverable. A signal was made requesting assistance. (5)
3 Mar 1941
At 0045N/1, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN), is joined by the sloop HMS Enchantress (Lt.Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, RN). At 1130N/1 the corvette HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, DSC, RNR) and the rescue tug HMRT Salvonia also joined. Attempts were now undertaken to take HMS Taku in tow but these failed. A connection between Salvonia and Taku was established only at 0808N/4 the following morning. Taku was now towed to Londonderry. During passage the tow parted once. (5)
10 Mar 1941
Around 1420A/10, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) arrived at Londonderry under tow. (5)
12 Mar 1941
Around 1520A/12, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed from Londonderry bound for Holy Loch. She is being towed by HMRT Salvonia bound for Holy Loch. (5)
13 Mar 1941
Around 1435A/13, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) arrived at Holy Loch under tow. (5)
16 Mar 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) was towed from Holy Loch to Ardrossan where she was docked in the graving dock for repairs to her after hydroplanes. (12)
21 Mar 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) was undocked. (12)
22 Mar 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) proceeded from Ardrossan to Holy Loch. After oiling she departed Holy Loch for her 10th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Bay of Biscay. She is to proceed to Gibraltar upon completion of her partol as she was to join the 1st Submarine Flotilla based at Alexandria.
Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN), HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. M.K. Cavenagh-Mainwaring, DSO, RN) and HMS L 26 (Lt. S.L.C. Maydon, RN). They were escorted by the Free French minesweeper FFS La Moqueuse.
They all parted company with the escort near Wolf Rock between 0845A/24 and 0920A/24.
(12)
13 Apr 1941
Around 1945A/13, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Gibraltar. (13)
14 Apr 1941
Around 1600A/14, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta.
At 2324A/14, a torpedo track was sighted coming towards. Taku went hard to port and then dived. Nothing further was sighted and the supposed attack was most likely bogus. (13)
15 Apr 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) is ordered by F.O.C.N.A. (Flag Officer Commanding North Atlantic) to return to Gibraltar. Instructions had been received from C-in-C Mediterranean and Capt. S.1 that they intend HMS Taku to make a war patrol in the Tyrrhenean Sea. Before proceeding on this patrol a rest period was needed therefore HMS Taku was recalled. (13)
16 Apr 1941
Around 1430A/16, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from her aborted passage to Gibraltar. (13)
Sources
- ADM 199/1814
- ADM 173/16243
- ADM 199/2573
- ADM 53/16578
- ADM 199/1846
- ADM 173/16579
- ADM 173/16580 + ADM 199/1846
- ADM 173/16580
- ADM 173/17003
- ADM 173/17003 + ADM 199/1846
- ADM 173/17004
- ADM 173/17005
- ADM 173/17006
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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