Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Provided to VWMA for publication by “Historical Unrecovered War Casualties – Air Force”.

Service History

Henry Brown was born 24 Oct 1921 at Quirindi NSW. He Enrolled in the RAAF Reserve on 28 Aug 1941 and his was employment as a Book salesman at Swain and Co. in Pitt street Sydney. At the time he was residing in Seven Hills at 286 Cornelia Road. He attended the Carlton Public School, Carlton from 1934 to 1935 followed by Arncliffe Commercial School, Arncliffe over period Jan -Jun 1936. FLTLT Brown 421579/O23665 enlisted into RAAF in Sydney on 28 Feb 1942 for Pilot training.He completed Initial aircrew training at Temora before embarking to Canada to complete Pilot Training at St Hubertsand was awarded Flying Badge on 19 Mar 1943. He embarked to UK on 08 Jul 1943 and commenced flying operations on Spitfires in Middle East, Italy supporting 8thArmy and Southern France. During operations in Italy he was awarded the DFC for devotion to duty. FLTLT Brown returned to Australia in Nov 1945 and his appointment was terminated in Jan 1946. Henry Brown changed his name on 02 Nov 1950 to Mark Astil Baren Henry Aytack Browne-Gaylord and was re-appointed FLTLT in RAAF 27 Nov 1950. FLTLT Mark A.B.H.A. Browne-Gaylord O23665 commenced his BCOF tour on 24 Nov 1951 and was posted to 77 SQN on 26 Nov 1951 flying Meteors in Korea. He was Listed Missing in Action believed Killed on 27 Jan 1952.

The Mission

Short Summary

Flight Lieutenant Mark Astil Baren Henry Aytack BROWNE-GAYLORD, Service Number: O23665 DoB: 24 October 1921, MIA 27 Jan 1952, LKP TOKYO GRID YC5215 latitude and longitude 38 03 14.84N 125 52 12.88E  On 27 Jan 1952 FLTLTs Bennet and Browne-Gaylord were tasked to conduct armed reconnaissance of the Haeju -Chinnampo (now Namp’o) area. The Meteor pair conducted strafing attacks in the Chinnampo area and then tracked for home tracking Chinnampo to Haeju via the coast. Cloud base 500 to 1500 ft which forced them to fly low level. They experienced considerable ground fire and after passing Heaju, at position YC5215 FLTLT Browne-Gaylord advised that his Altimeter and Air Speed Indicator were inoperative. Browne Gaylord then requested heading for home and FLTLT Bennett passed inbound track of 120 and no further transmission were heard from Browne-Gaylord. At the time of Browne-Gaylord’s loss, they was flying over the Yonan area at an altitude of 500 to 1000 ft. Cloud base was also reported as 200 feet coastal lowering to ground level inland. They were flying in trail so the section leader (FLTLT Bennett) could not stay visual with FLTLT Browne-Gaylord. LKP is listed as TOKYO GRID YC5215 latitude and longitude 38 03 14.84N 125 52 12.88E

Enlisted RAAF in WW2 as Henry BROWN - reinlisted for Service in Korea as Mark Astil Baren Henry Aytack BROWNE-GAYLORD

"2 airmen missing in Korea

Two R.A.AF. pilots Flt.-Lt. M. A. B. Browne-Gaylord, of Pott's Pt., Sydney, and Sgt. B. T. Gillan, of Canberra are reported missing in Korea. R.A.A.F. headquarters said yesterday both were Meteor jet fighter pilots. They were posted missing after making an armed reconnaissance over enemy territory. Flight-Lieut. Browne-Gay lord joined the R.A.A.F. in 1942, and went to Korea last November. Sgt. Gillan, who enlisted m August, 1949. was trained at Pt. Cook, and was posted to Korea last September." - from the Melbourne Argus 31 Jan 1952 (nla.gov.au)

Shot down by ground fire during a strafing run over Haeju. Flight Lieutenant Browne-Gaylord's body was never recovered and is therefore regarded as missing, presumed killed in action.