Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A post-War ‘Central African Film Unit of Rhodesia and Nyasaland’ M.B.E. group of six awarded to Denys Edmund Brown, late Captain Royal Artillery, a distinguished film producer who went on to become Production Manager of Film Australia

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, together with companion miniature dress medals, both sets mounted court-style, extremely fine (6) £260-£300

M.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 1 January 1964: ‘Director of Film Services, Ministry of Home Affairs, Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.’

Denys Edmond Brown was born on 8 August 1915, at Blackheath, Kent, and was educated at Christ’s Hospital and Brasenose College Oxford, graduating with a B.A. in 1939. He was a driver with the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service in 1940 and received the Civil Defence Certificate of Merit for his safe driving (certificate sold with lot). He joined the Regular Army in 1940 and served in the ranks until 2 May 1944, when he was granted an Emergency Commission as a Second Lieutenant. He served in the Royal Horse Artillery in the 8th Army in North Africa and Italy, and attained the rank of Temporary Captain.

On leaving the Army after the war he worked in the film industry in Britain, Rhodesia and Nyasaland, and Australia with a great deal of success: Film Production Control Officer, Central Office of Information, U.K., 1946-48; Scriptwriter and Producer, Central African Film Unit, Rhodesia and Nyasaland 1948-63; Director, Film Services Department, Federal Government of Rhodesia and Nyasaland 1961-63; M.B.E. (Civil) 1963; M.A. 1964; Production Manager, Film Australia, 1964-69, and Producer in Chief from 1970. He was a member of the Australian National Film Board, the Government Film Institute, the Film Development Corporation, and of various associated Guilds. Denys Brown died at St Leonards, Sydney, N.S.W., on 13 March 1986.

Sold with original Commission document as Second Lieutenant, dated 2 May 1944; Officers’ Release Book; London County Council Driving Licence 1948-49; two letters from the office of the Governor General, Rhodesia, concerning the award of the M.B.E., and named Buckingham Palace enclosure for same; also with photographs of him in R.H.A. uniform, of the presentation ceremony for the M.B.E., and of the Central African Film Unit building in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, together with case of issue for M.B.E., four bronze Christ’s Hospital swimming prize medals and a quantity of copied research.