Laurence Hamilton “Tony” Browne
Captain · NZ #4444 · R1 Patrol · MC, DCM
| Rank | Captain |
|---|---|
| Service number | NZ #4444 |
| Patrol | R1 Patrol |
| Regiment | NZ Army Service Corps |
| Known as | “Tony” |
| Born | 1908-07-08 |
| Honours | MC, DCM |
| Campaign medals | MID, War Medal 1939-45, NZ War Service Medal |
| Record | https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/88214 |
What this roll records
His two embarkations, from the Online Cenotaph. In 1940 he embarked as a PRIVATE with Headquarters, 2nd New Zealand Division (2NZEF Nominal Roll 1, p. 27) — which sits with the note above that he was promoted from Corporal and had earlier served in the Long Range Patrol. He embarked a SECOND time in 1944, as an ACTING CAPTAIN with the New Zealand Army Service Corps (2NZEF Nominal Roll 13, p. 18), a return to the Middle East after his LRDG service. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph, record 88214.
Patrol R1 officer (Capt. L.H. Browne). Brendan O'Carroll, "R Patrol, Long Range Desert Group" (R Patrol Truck Names and Officers appendix).
PATROL COMMANDER of R1 per W.B. Kennedy Shaw, "Long Range Desert Group", Appendix 4 Patrol Commanders.
On original LRP Roll (5 Dec 1940): T — Navigator T Patrol; Sgt T; commissioned; G3 G(Ops) GHQ MEF; OC R1 Patrol; IO LRDG. Source: LRP Roll (Original LRP Nominal Roll as at 5 Dec 1940, Capt L H Browne).
Deeper background (2026): known as “Tony” Browne, of Wellington. In February 1941 he made the first New Zealand Broadcasting Unit field recordings of LRDG members — among the earliest recorded LRDG voices. Source: World War Voices, https://worldwarvoices.com/2023/04/16/voices-of-the-long-range-desert-group-the-brains-behind-the-s-a-s-rogue-heroes
Promoted from Corporal; earlier served in the LRP.
Born England, 8 July 1908; an accountant by profession; four times wounded. Capt L. H. Browne, MC, DCM, m.i.d. Source: W.G. Stevens, 'Bardia to Enfidaville' (p.26). AWMM notes the name was incorrectly spelt 'Laurence' in the Nominal Roll (correct spelling Lawrence).
Military Cross gazetted 20 April 1943 (London Gazette, issue 35987, supplement p.1845): https://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35987/supplements/1845 . National Archives recommendation for award (WO 373/24/248): http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7361000
A 1941 recording of Captain Browne survives in the Nga Taonga Sound & Vision catalogue (U-series, The Long Range Desert Group, Pts 1-8, 11719): https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/search-use-collection/search/11719 . Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.
The Kiwi Scorpions (Brendan O'Carroll): Capt. L. H. Browne, MC, DCM — accountant, London; born England, 8 Jul 1908; patrol commander LRDG; GSO III G(Ops) GHQ MEF 1942; IO LRDG 1943; wounded 11 Jan 1941, 31 Jan 1941, 18 Nov 1942 and 22 Dec 1942.
Patrol commander: commanded R1 Patrol. Kiwi Scorpions (Appendix II — Commanders of NZ Patrols).
Led R1 patrol on the 2,000-mile runs from Kufra to deliver agents and stores into Tripolitania. Attacked from the air at Wadi Tamet (18 November 1942) he was wounded but carried on to complete the task, then guided the New Zealand Division’s ‘left hook’ around Rommel’s flank at El Agheila and Nofilia. Injured by a mine near Wadi Tamet (22 December 1942). Awarded the MC. Source: ‘The Eighth Army Advance / Reconnaissance in Tunisia’, Episodes & Studies Vol. 1 (NZ official war history).
Accountant, of London; born England, 8 Jul 1908. MC, DCM, m.i.d. GSO III GHQ MEF 1942; Intelligence officer LRDG 1943; wounded 11 Jan 1941, 31 Jan 1941, 18 Nov 1942 and 22 Dec 1942. Source: Episodes & Studies Vol. 1 (biographical notes).
As T patrol navigator at Murzuk (11 January 1941) kept his machine gun in action though wounded in the foot, and showed further gallantry at Gebel Sherif (31 January 1941); awarded the DCM. Bitten by a snake at Taiserbo, and guided the first Sudan Defence Force convoy to Kufra (1941). As Second-Lieutenant led R2 patrol in the Maraua road ambush (29 November 1941). Source: ‘Long Range Desert Group in Libya, 1940–41’, Episodes & Studies Vol. 1 (NZ official war history).
See him in the full roll →Where this comes from
- Honours & campaign medals from Online Cenotaph: MC, DCM, MID, War Medal 1939-45, NZ War Service Medal. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.
- Murzuk Raid roll (courtesy Tarek el Mahdy)
- LRDG Nominal Roll, 28 Dec 1940 – Jan 1941 (courtesy Tarek el Mahdy) — roll rank: Lance Corporal
- Additional sources (AWMM Online Cenotaph). Nominal Roll 2NZEF No. 1, p.27; No. 13, p.18. Unit history: Stevens, W.G. (1962). Bardia to Enfidaville. External links: London Gazette, 20 April 1943, p.1845 (Military Cross): http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35987/supplements/1845; The National Archives, Recommendation for Award (WO 373/24/248): http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7361000; Ngā Taonga (U-series, LRDG 11719): https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/search-use-collection/search/11719
This page is part of the Long Range Desert Group roll of members at lrdgarchive.org. If you hold rights to anything on it and would like it credited differently, or taken down, please see Sources and Copyright. It will be dealt with promptly.
Not By Strength But By Guile