Wartime pilot's life revealed

More information has come to light about a pilot who inspired a lace panel depicting the Battle Of Britain, but whose name is missing from Southwell’s war memorial.

Flying Officer John Michael Godfree Browne, known as Godfree, died in a plane crash in 1939.

His name was added to the roll of honour in Southwell Minster on Monday, along with the names of 17 soldiers who died during the first world war.

The additions to the roll of honour will be dedicated at a service in Southwell Minster on Saturday, April 30.

Southwell town councillor and chairman of the Southwell branch of the Royal British Legion Mr Andy Gregory led the project.

After a list of the missing names was published in the Advertiser, it was spotted by Mr Brian Farr, of Australia, who recognised that Flying Officer Browne was the director of a Nottingham lace company that produced panels to mark of the Battle of Britain. One of the 30 panels is at the Aviation Heritage Museum, Bull Creek, Western Australia.

Shortly after, contact was made with Flying Officer Browne’s nephew, Mr Michael Browne, of Nottingham.

Mr Gregory met Mr Browne on Monday so he could learn more about Flying Officer Browne’s life.

Mr Gregory said Flying Officer Browne had become the public face of the project to get the names added to the memorial.

He said: “We have only been able to find photos of him and we have found out so much information about him.

“It is good to get this information from Michael so have these stories to tell people.”

Mr Gregory said Flying Officer Browne lived in Burgage Court, on Burgage Lane, Southwell, and was thought to have been the most dashing of his five brothers.

As a young man he was said to have been well dressed and enjoyed sports cars and an active social life. He was described as being full of fun.

Mr Gregory said Flying Officer Browne was originally in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, later the Sherwood Foresters and now the 2nd Battalion, The Merican Regiment.

He said: “He wanted a little bit more excitement so, once he got his private pilot’s licence, he joined the RAF.

“He owned sports cars and was into motorbike racing so it seems he was a bit of a daredevil.”

Mr Browne, who will attend the service of dedication, said he was pleased his uncle’s name was being added to the roll of honour.

He said: “It has been a long time coming and it should be an interesting day.”