Francis Clifton Brown

Vice-Admiral Francis Clifton Brown, C.B., C.M.G., Royal Navy, Retired (10 July, 1874 – 6 September, 1963) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Brown gained twelve months' time on passing out of Britannia in December, 1889. His first appointment was to the turret ship Dreadnought in the Mediterranean, lasting from mid-January, 1890 to mid December, at which time he was re-appointed. He was finally ordered home on 6 October, 1892.

Brown was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant on 23 April, 1895, dated 14 October, 1893. His promotion to the rank of Lieutenant was dated 14 October, 1894.

Brown was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1904. In 1905, he would lose confidential books and be told that the Admiralty expected him to take greater care in their custody in future.

In January, 1910, he was appointed in command of the second class protected cruiser Thetis. He would be told in a 1911 inspection that things were satisfactory, but greater care to the appearance of the boats was required. He would be sent to War and Signal Courses for four months after being superseded in January, 1912. Brown was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1912 and appointed to command Cressy during the annual manoeuvres on 2 July.

He was appointed in command of Skirmisher on 21 March, 1914, and as Captain (D), Seventh Destroyer Flotilla.

He assumed command of the first class protected cruiser Edgar in June 1916, remaining in her until the following May. In September and October of 1916, he impressed Vice-Admiral, Eastern Mediterranean with the "tactful and very able manner in which he handled a most difficult situation in Crete." In December, he made "excellent arrangements" to carry out the occupation of Syria and was mentioned in despatches for his work.

Post-War

Brown would receive the C.M.G., the Greek Order of the Redeemer, Commander and also a C.B. for his services in the Eastern Mediterranean. Some of this time it appears was spent in Greek Naval service, for in 1919 he was asked for details of what approval he had been given for training Greek airmen in Egypt! In 1920, he was faulted for losing a pair of binoculars; it appears that he had not fitted them with a lanyard as Regulations required.

Brown was appointed in command of Warspite on 4 May, 1920.

Brown was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 1 July, 1922, vice Clinton-Baker, and was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 2 July.

Brown was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral (retired) on 3 August, 1927.

On 11 November, 1929 Brown was nominated a Sheriff in the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice in the County of Berkshire.

Bibliography

• "Obituaries" (Obituaries). The Times. Monday, 9 September, 1963. Issue 55801, col G, pg. 12.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by ?	Captain of H.M.S. Virago 15 Jun, 1897 – Aug, 1897	Succeeded by Edward A. Baird
Preceded by Reginald F. Parker	Captain of H.M.S. Thetis 25 Jan, 1910 – 30 Jan, 1912	Succeeded by Valentine E. B. Phillimore
Preceded by Francis G. St. John	Captain of H.M.S. Sapphire 1 Jul, 1913 – 29 Aug, 1913	Succeeded by Hugh G. C. Somerville
Preceded by Francis G. St. John	Captain of H.M.S. Skirmisher 21 Mar, 1914 – 5 May, 1915	Succeeded by Francis C. Brown
Preceded by Francis G. St. John	Captain (D), Seventh Destroyer Flotilla 21 Mar, 1914 – 14 May, 1915	Succeeded by Laurence R. Oliphant
Preceded by Cecil H. Fox	Captain of H.M.S. Topaze 14 May, 1914 – 16 May, 1915	Succeeded by Alexander R. W. Woods
Preceded by Francis C. Brown	Captain of H.M.S. Skirmisher 16 May, 1915 – 8 Jun, 1916	Succeeded by Archibald Cochrane
Preceded by Douglas L. Dent	Captain of H.M.S. Edgar 8 Jun, 1916 – 29 May, 1917	Succeeded by Alldin U. Moore
Preceded by Charles P. R. Coode	Captain (D), Fifth Destroyer Flotilla 30 May, 1917 – 15 Aug, 1917	Succeeded by George K. Chetwode
Preceded by Ernest K. Loring	Captain of H.M.S. Warspite 4 May, 1920 – 4 May, 1922	Succeeded by Robert N. Bax