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DON E. BROWN 1911–2000

Don E. Brown, who died in February 2000, is noted as a new member in the August/September 1931 issue of the Belgravian.  He was one of a batch of notables to whom a welcome was extended at that time.  Others were A.G. Bruce; A.E. Taylor; H.W. Shields and the Churcher brothers, Charlie and Harry.  Don’s name was linked with the latter in race results in the late 1930s.  Just turned 20 when he joined us, he soon became a force to be reckoned with in the shorter distance walks.

The next issue of the magazine noted that “D.E. Brown impressed in his first race as likely to do very well in the future”.  He finished 22nd in the Opening 5 mile event of the 1931/32 season with the Churcher brothers among those in front of him.  He maintained steady progress throughout the next few seasons in the various Open 7s.  moving out to 10 miles he was 6th in the RWA “Junior” in 1933 and was second member of the team led home by Harry Churcher and completed by Alf Harley.

In 1934 Don was third in the AAA’s two mile track walk in 13 mins 58 secs., the fastest time then by a Belgravian.  Elected Road Captain at the next AGM – no mean feat for one so young – he led by example in both inter-club and Open events and gained his Surrey colours. The next year he improved to second place in the AAA’'s two miles behind the great A. A. Cooper in the “amazingly fast time of 13 mins 53.8 secs.”  Two years later Don was third – behind Cooper yet gain.  At that time it was said that Cooper was the bane of every track walker and both Harry Churcher and Don had to give him best on a number of occasions despite recording quite exceptional times.

A quieter time followed in the years up to the outbreak of War but even so he finished 13th in the Belgrave Open 7 which indicates that he had great natural ability and although he was only in the “C” team that day they beat the “A” team to take the scratch prizes!  He was also noted as a possible for the 1940 Olympic Games.  As with so many other races those Games did not take place and the events of September 1939 blighted the careers of many members, Don included.  He wrote in 1944 to say that despite a posting in the Sussex Weald he was unable to train.

Post war Don became a highly respected walking judge, a familiar figure at all major races and in the years from 1956 to 1960 he was a frequent visitor to Battersea Park where he did much to assist Stan Vickers and myself in our careers.  Don took lap times but made it a rule never to disclose them until the end of the evening.  Encouragement was given in a quiet, calm, gentlemanly, manner which he always seemed to apply in any situation.  In my mind’s eye I still see him at the 200 metre mark advising us when necessary but ever mindful that we had our own views on training and racing programmes.  He was a man to be listened to and we appreciated his opinions.  He also played an active part in pacing us round Wimbledon Common by cycling at a steady 8 mph with Stan on one side of the rear of the bike and me on the other for 12 miles a session.  If you think that sounds easy just try it sometime!

With his concentration on style, of which I am told he was a great exponent, he presented the Club with a silver salver to be awarded annually to the best stylist in the Club 2 mile championship.  No one was more delighted than Don when Stan Vickers achieved such great heights in so many races culminating in the bronze medal in the Rome Olympics 1960.  A great Belgravian who was walking at the “wrong” time, so far as the standard of competition is concerned, he nevertheless gave of his best whether as a competitor, judge, advisor or friend.

EWH