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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 269

(x) 'At 50 Browne could still keep up with the fittest in the Army in the Hills of Dhofar.'

Extract from Browne's obituary in the R.A.Ch.D. Journal

An impressive campaign group of six to Assistant Chaplain General The Rev. C. J. Browne, Royal Army Chaplains' Department, who rendered invaluable service with the S.A.S. during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus; he went on to become Honorary Chaplain to the Queen

1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Brunei (The Rev. C. J. Browne C.F.3 R.A.Ch.D. DUPLICATE); General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, Dhofar, Northern Ireland (The Rev. C. J. Browne CF1 R.A.Ch.D.), mounted court-style as worn, nearly extremely fine, scarce (6)

Clifford Jesse Browne was born at East Stonehouse, Plymouth on 26 June 1924. After studying at Selwyn College, Cambridge, he gained a commission in 'A' Squadron, 16/5th Lancers on 11 September 1944. He was immediately posted to the Italian Front, taking part in the liberation of Florence. In November that year, he organised a concert party to deepen ties between British troops and the local population. In January 1946, while stationed in Klagenfurt, the 16/5th were ordered to guard the house of Franz von Knaptich, leader of the Austrian Democratic Party.

Browne then resumed his studies at Selwyn College, Cambridge, graduating with an M.A. in 1951. He was given a Territorial commission on 6 February 1952. Following a curacy at St. Peter's, Southsea, he was gazetted a Chaplain to the Forces, 4th Class on 3 May 1954. After six years attached to the 1st Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery in Germany, he served in Malaya with the 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. He was promoted Chaplain 3rd Class on 4 July 1961 and 2nd Class on 10 November 1968, being later present at Hong Kong during the Pope's visit to the island in 1971.

From 12 October 1973, Browne was attached to the Special Air Service (S.A.S.). On 20 July 1974, when the Turks invaded Cyprus, he landed at Akrotiri Airport with an S.A.S. medic, Corporal Colin Pryde, just five minutes after the Turks had crossed the border. Alongside Pryde, he organised essential humanitarian aid for panic-stricken Cypriots who rushed into the British compound. In his humorous article for the R.A.Ch.D. Journal (Vol. 123, June 1975), he recalled the scene at Akrotiri:

'The only headgear Pryde and I had was The Beret. Two R.A.F. were overheard in the bar affirming that the S.A.S. had arrived because two had been seen walking down the road together. When I excused my butting in and asking for confirmation I was told that twenty-two S.A.S. had arrived: when I said only twenty-two didn't seem to be a very large number the glances obviously gave me a Parson's Pardon (one stage lower than a fool's pardon). One of our number at another air base was later informed that the S.A.S. had suffered heavy casualties: they knew this because the Padre had arrived.'

For his services at Akrotiri, Browne advanced to Chaplain of the Forces, 1st Class (London Gazette, 1 June 1975). He held this prestigious rank while serving with the S.A.S. in the 1974-75 Dhofar campaign (clasp). On 21 May 1975 he was appointed Assistant Chaplain General, Northern Ireland, a difficult posting at the height of the Troubles. On 30 June 1978 he became Honorary Chaplain to the Queen (London Gazette, 8 August 1978). He died at 343 Verity Crescent, Poole on 30 October 1990; sold with copied articles, service papers and an obituary from the R.A.Ch.D. Journal.

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Sold for
£950

Starting price
£500