Private Victor Rueben Brownjohn

Pte Brownjohn was born April 9, 1924, in Barry, Wales. His family immigrated to Canada arriving in Quebec aboard the Montcalm on November 19, 1925, and continued on to Vancouver, British Columbia where they finally settled. Brownjohn enlisted in the Army on April 5, 1943, and was posted to the Seaforth Highlanders on September 10, 1943. He volunteered for the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion shortly thereafter. Brownjohn completed his Parachute Course at Shilo, Manitoba on December 4, 1943, and was an extremely proud Paratrooper. 

He embarked overseas to England on April 11, 1944, to join the Battalion and be part of the 6th Airborne Division. Brownjohn was later taken on strength with the Training Company.  Brownjohn would remain in England training in preparation for the next mission being Operation Varsity.  Brownjohn parachuted into Germany during this daring daytime drop.  Brownjohn served with A Coy in Germany, Belgium and Holland. 

As the war came to a close, he met a lovely girl named Constance (Connie) Williams. They fell in love and married shortly after on July 14, 1945. They created a beautiful family of two boys and two girls. They remained by each other's side for the next 61 years until his passing.

All artifacts and pictures courtesy of Pte. Victor Brownjohn.

Bren Light Machine gun

This is a Bren Light Machine Gun, Pte Brownjohn would have used one similar to this one during his training and while serving overseas. There is a picture of Pte Brownjohn posing with a Bren. The Bren weighed 25 lbs with a rate of fire at 500 rounds per minute, the effective range of 600 yards. Read more about the Bren in the equipment section of this website.