A MONMOUTHSHIRE-BORN pilot has been added to the exclusive list of those airmen recognised for fighting in the Battle of Britain, following lengthy research by historians and an extensive Royal Air Force (RAF) investigation.

It is now agreed that Sergeant Donald Brown (service number 563089), born in Glascoed, should be added to the list of those who fought in the critical battle and who Winston Churchill referred to as “the Few” in his famous speech.

Fewer than 3,000 airmen were awarded the Battle of Britain Clasp following the battle for supremacy of Britain’s skies in the summer and early autumn of 1940, but new claims continue to be heard as new evidence emerges.

“It is a privilege to be able to add another name to the list of those remarkable men who kept this country safe from invasion in 1940,” Battle of Britain Memorial Trust chairman Richard Hunting said.

Following Sgt Brown’s inclusion on the list of Battle of Britain pilots, the trust is now seeking more details about his life from any remaining relatives in the area where he was born.

Sgt Brown was born in Glascoed on October 25, 1912. During the Second World War, he flew Bristol Blenheim light bomber aircraft with No 604 County of Middlesex Squadron.

To qualify for the Battle of Britain Clasp, airmen had to fly at least one sortie with one of 71 squadrons and other recognised units between July 10 and October 31, 1940 – the dates officially recognised for the battle.

But because squadron operations record books were not always kept up-to-date or as accurately as they might have been, it is unlikely that there will ever be a final, definitive list of the aircrew who fought in the battle against the Luftwaffe.

Sgt Brown’s flight records are among those with patchy details, and because of this he did not feature on the Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall, nor in Men of the Battle of Britain – published by the trust and universally recognised as the definitive biography of those who took part.

The trust decided to investigate Sgt Brown’s case further after it was asked to reconsider his exclusion, and found indications he may have flown sorties which would qualify him for the clasp.

Two historians of the battle were consulted, and they referred the matter to Sebastian Cox, head of the RAF’s Air historical branch, as the final authority on the matter.

After a lengthy investigation, Mr Cox concluded the evidence was strong enough for Sgt Brown to be added to the list of aircrew who participated in the battle.

The Trust will include Flt Lt Brown in the updated Men of the Battle of Britain entries on its website and will include him if a fourth edition of the book is ever printed. If possible the name will be added in due course to the Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall at Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone.

Sadly, Flt Lt Brown died in 1993 in Horning, Norfolk. His final job before retirement was as a clerk working for a sail-maker and upholstery business. In 1954, in the London area, he married Kathleen Newland, with whom he went on to have two daughters.

But not much else is known about his early life, and the trust would like to hear from any relatives who may be able to add more details to his story and his service record. There are no known photographs of Flt Lt Brown during active service.

“We would be very interested to hear from any relatives of Flt Lt Brown who may be able to add more detail to the story,” Mr Hunting said.

To contact the trust, email trustsecretary@battleofbrit

ainmemorial.org