Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine group of five awarded to Superintendent C. H. Brown, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, late Warrant Officer Class 2, Royal Garrison Artillery

1914-15 Star (27858 Sjt., R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals (27858 W.O. Cl. 2, R.A.); R.S.P.C.A. Life Saving Medal, ‘For Humanity’, 2 clasps, 1941, 1952, silver (Inspector C. H. Brown, 1941) complete with ‘For Humanity’ brooch bar; R.S.P.C.A. Long Service Medal, bronze (Ch. Insp. Brown C. H.) good very fine and better (5) £380-420

Charles Henry Brown was born in Hammersmith, Middlesex on 24 September 1889. He entered the R.G.A. in 1907. As a Serjeant in the Royal Garrison Artillery he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 11 July 1915 and ended the war as a Warrant Officer Class 2. Immediately after the war he was employed as a Carpenter’s Labourer with the R.N. Ordnance. He was appointed a Probationer with the R.S.P.C.A. on 22 November 1920 and was promoted to Inspector 4th Class in January 1921; 3rd Class in January 1925; 2nd Class in July 1930; and Inspector 1st Class in June 1944. He became a Chief Inspector in January 1950 and attained the rank of Superintendent in the R.S.P.C.A. in December 1953. Brown was stationed at Oswestry, 1921-26; Cowes, 1926-28; Forest Hill, 1928-30; Ilkeston, 1930-34, and Littlehampton from 1934.

Aside from some mishaps - severely cautioned for impropriety with a married woman in May 1928; severely censured for submitting inaccurate reports regarding horses in May 1936, his record is one of promotions, commendations and awards. Brown was awarded the Society’s Silver Medal and a clasp for his work during wartime. The Animal World of May 1941 records, ‘Silver medals of the R.S.P.C.A. have been awarded to three Clapham Police Officers for their gallant action in saving a dog from a bombed house. .... Similar awards for bravery in the vicinity of bombs have been made to ...... C. H. Brown of Brighton.’ In 1952 Brown was awarded a second clasp for the rescue of a heifer from a flood at Amberley Brooks, Amberley, Sussex. Superintendent Brown retired on a pension on 31 December 1955. With copied m.i.c., R.S.P.C.A. service details and other research.