Ashton’s RAF hero Jeffrey Brown celebrates 100 remarkable years

An Ashton-born Lancaster bomber veteran, Jeffrey Brown, has celebrated his 100th birthday with a surprise wartime-themed party in Mottram, surrounded by family, friends, and distinguished guests from across the world.

Born on 4th November 1925, Jeffrey has lived a life that spans a century of history from the days of the Second World War to tea and cake with King Charles III.

Jeffrey is the proud son of Thomas Brown, who spent his entire career as the Ashton Reporters photographer.

Entering the room Jeff exclaimed: “Well that is a surprise! Where did everyone come from?”

In her speech, Jeff’s daughter Yvonne shared fond memories of her father’s early years, recalling the young Jeff’s mischievous streak, including the time he “tested” a neighbour’s toilet window with a lump of coal.

At the age of 12, his father took him and his best friend Ken Crossley to Woodford Aerodrome, paying £1 each for a flight in a biplane, around £90 in today’s money. It was a moment that sparked his lifelong passion for flying.

When war broke out, Jeff lived on Gorsey Lane in Ashton-under-Lyne, and he vividly remembered a bomb landing on Ashton Golf Links, shaking the windows of his home. Determined to serve but too young to enlist, he joined the Air Training Corps (No. 247 Squadron, Tameside) before training as an air gunner on Lancaster bombers with 576 Squadron.

During the closing stages of the war, he took part in Operation Manna, flying food drops over the Netherlands to feed starving civilians. Jeff went a step further,  secretly attaching small parachutes to packets of sweets so Dutch children could enjoy a little treat amid the hardship. Many cards at his celebration came from grateful families in the Netherlands, who still remember those life-saving missions.

Jeff being interviewed for ITV by Victoria Grimes

In recognition of his service, Jeff was also presented with a food hamper from Holland, a gesture of thanks for his part in Operation Manna.

After the war, Jeff was stationed in Adenau, Germany, where he met his wife, a German linguist working as an interpreter. The couple married and later welcomed daughter Yvonne. Jeff later trained as a pilot in Canada, earning his wings and continuing to serve post-war with aircraft including the Shackleton, Vulcan, and Nimrod.

Back in civilian life, he worked as a technical author at British Aerospace in Chadderton, where he met his lifelong friend Jeff Mellor. The two still share their favourite McVitie’s chocolate digestives every Friday – a ritual McVitie’s themselves celebrated by sending Jeff a giant box to mark both his and the company’s 100th birthdays.

The surprise centenary celebration in Mottram brought together an extraordinary guest list, including: Nicky Van Der Drift, CEO of the International Bomber Command Centre, Lincoln, Group Captain “Dutch” Holland, RAF Waddington Station Commander and navigator on the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster Bomber, Terry Barnes and Frank Pleszak from the AVRO Heritage Museum, Woodford, Daniel Bamber, representing the 247 Air Training Corps, Tameside, where Jeff’s RAF journey began and John Monaghan, a fellow WW2 veteran who flew on some of the same operations as Jeff.

Guests travelled from across the world to honour him, including Susan, his niece from Australia, and Jeff’s nephew from France.

A letter from Air Commodore Paul Smith, who was unable to attend, was read aloud by Group Captain “Dutch” Holland. The message expressed the admiration of the entire Royal Air Force:

“Dear Jeff, I write today to send you my personal congratulations and best wishes, along with all who serve in the Royal Air Force. As you reach the truly impressive milestone of your 100th birthday, I hope that you have a fantastic day and enjoy the surprise party arranged for you.

“I read your service history with great interest. From your time on the Lancaster, your involvement in Operation Manna and the repatriation of prisoners of war, to your post-war service on iconic aircraft such as the Shackleton, Vulcan, and Nimrod – the country and the Royal Air Force owe you a huge debt of gratitude.

“Thank you for all that you have done for our wonderful service. I will certainly be raising a glass in your honour this evening. Wishing you a very happy birthday, Jeff.”

In 2023, Jeff had the honour of meeting King Charles III during a visit to Lincoln, where the King chose his table first and shared tea and cake with him. The following morning, Jeff was taken ill and rushed to hospital for major surgery, but true to form, he was soon sitting up, cup of tea in hand.

When nurses doubted his story about having tea with the King, daughter Yvonne quickly showed them a photo to prove it.

Reflecting on her father’s remarkable life, Yvonne ended her speech with heartfelt pride: “He’s my hero, a true hero, and I couldn’t wish for a better father.”

And as the applause settled, Jeff himself offered just one humble message to those who came from near and far to honour him:

“A great big thank you for coming.”

Picture montage of moments from Jeff's life