Evil only triumphs when good men do nothing
The military and background have a special meaning to Joe personally because the mere definiton of 'Martial Art' means The Way of the Warrior/Soldier.
Joe Brown GSM (BAR) CSS served as an infantry soldier from the time he was 15 years old in 1969 through to 2002 (1969-1975: regulars, 1975-1981: regular reserve forces, 1981-2002: V / reserve forces).
He has served in conflicts all over the world foremost as a rifleman, then progressed to a section and battalion machine gunner and then on to a section commander. He also specialised in search for and secure explosives and was part of an elite three man (sniffer) team. He left the army with an 'EXEMPLARY MILITARY RECORD'.
Joe comes from a family with deep rooted ties to the military. His Grandfather William was in the Royal Navy, His father Leslie was a decorated infantryman, his uncle Will a decorated infantryman, his grandfather Percy a decorated NCO in the infantry, his uncle Billy was in the Royal Navy and posthumously awarded the Croix de De Gaulle (which is the highest award for bravery that France can award) and finally is father in law was a Royal Marines Commando.
The following selection of images include Joe in active operation in various countries over the years.
Here are an assortment of pictures taken from Joe's history...
CQB Order
Military Combined Services Team train at National Centre of Excellence
It was a first for the Military Combined Services WTF Taekwondo Team to be invited to the Taekwondo Centre of Excellence based at Loughborough University on Wednesday 27th April 2005. This was all due to the combined efforts of Sgt. Al Curtin from the Royal Marines, John Salisbury - Royal Marines, Master Joe Brown - National/Technical Centre Coach and now Combined Services Coach and Mr Gary Hall - Performance Director of Sport Taekwondo UK.
Upon arrival they were met by Master Joe Brown - National/Technical Centre Coach and now Combined Services Coach and Mr Seelan Rengasamy - National Junior Squad Coach.
An excellent, concise and professional briefing, which included aims and objectives to the newly established Combined Services Team plus the dedication to make the grade was delivered by Master Joe Brown and Seelan Rengasamy.
Then followed the hard work with basic fitness, with speed, kicking, counter and sparring drills culminated in some good results that the Sport Taekwondo UK coaches can mould into a fighting squad in due time.
The day formed some good relationships and opened up a pool of fighters that will enable WTF Taekwondo in the UK to go from strength to strength with the right attitudes and dedication from all concerned.
Due to the success of the day it is planned to continue this in the future and the future looks promising!
All in all a successful day was had by all.
42 Commando 1st Assault Group
Sgt's Mess
(left to right) Joe, Al and Chris
Military Base, UK
(left to right) Colonel Hopwood (Retired), Joe Brown and Major Howells
Joe presenting awards on behalf of the BTCB as Combined Services Mlitary Team Coach at the Inter-Services Championships
Joe Brown who served with the Gurkhas in Hong Kong in the 1970's patrolling the borders of China with British land forces (long range patrolling).
Here he is with the 2nd Gurkha Rifle Regiment TKD Team.
Joe has known many individuals who have lost their lives or who have been wounded while serving for their country in various conflicts all over the world and would like to pay special tribute to the following servicemen who were some of Joe's closest friends (muckers)...
Someone once asked me: "what do you do with dead soldiers?" After being part of the firing party that fired a 21 gun salute at my mate's military funeral at 17 years old I could answer that question: "Remember them, all of them...or my brothers will be lost forever like tear drops in the rain".
'Remember better men than you and I walked before us... I will never forget them'
Cpl Jo Lehee - S/Commander, Infantry KIA
Pte Keith O'Brian - Rifleman, Infantry KIA
Cpl Frank Mingay - S/Commander, Infantry KIA
Sgt Mick Unsworth - Platoon Sgt, Infantry KOAS
Pte J. Dunlevey - Rifleman, Infantry KOAS
Pte Roy Wilkes - Rifleman, Infantry WIA
Marine Kevin Porter Deceased
Sgt Hunt - Platoon Sgt, Infantry Deceased
Special thanks to:
L/CPL McBride - 2nd Para, Foreign Legion and mercenary
Dave - Military Intelligence (Call Sign ACORN)
Pte Crutcher Cruise - Infantry Medic
Pte Olly Alls - Infantry Radio Operator
Pte Simon (Simple) 'Smith' SAS Regiment
S/Sgt Owen 'Brown' SAS Regiment
Capt Cartier 'Smith' SAS Regiment
Sgt Bob 'Brown' SBS Regiment
And thanks to Honey the Sniffer Dog!
Last but not least Joe would like to remember the most important soldier in his life, his father Pte Leslie Brown - Rifleman, Infantry 1st Btn Dorset Regiment who was a decorated serviceman.
At his fathers military funeral Joe wrote the following words that were read on that day. His fathers name can be seen in the Book of Rememberance in London
'Dad'
When I was a small boy, maybe 7 or 8 years old I told my Dad that I wanted to be a soldier like he had been. He tried everything over the years to put me off!
My Dad and I played war games in our garden. He and I were 'Brothers in Arms' in my imaginary war games!
In my eyes we were heroes; so I asked my Dad what heroes were? He said ''They were just ordinary men who did what they felt was right''.
My Dad could be described as a 'simple man' but I know he always tried to do what he felt was right.
So...
You're still my hero Dad and I'll always try to 'dig the best hole' mate!!!
Joe.
To those of us who know and understand, the following is an extract from one of two books Joe intends to publish in the future. It is a recollection of a radio communication and action Joe was involved in at the time one of his closest friends was killed in action (KIA).
The books are intended to be called:
Clear Loud As An Order
Sunray Down
(extract from Sunray Down)
It was a cold but sunny winters morning. The due shone on our boots as we walked slowly, silently across the fields with our camouflage smocks, blackened faces and weapons at the ready, tight in our shoulders. With the sights set at three hundred meters (the standard battle setting) and with our thumbs twitching on our safety catches.
I remember thinking that the enemy would see our shiny boots as the dew made them glitter like lit up Christmas trees. We did not wear our regimental berets or badges on our heads but wore instead a thing called 'the cap comforter' (a small green sock which was folded around our head) as this made us less visible and in my view, was far more practical than the standard beret which kept falling off.
The silence and boredom was abruptly broken... We heard the crackle of small arms fire and from a distance, a muffled soft explosion... Suddenly, my sections radio squawked...
'Hello One, this is One Two Bravo'... contact wait out...'
'One, OK over'...
'One Two Bravo, Sunray down over'...
'One, send sit rep, over'...
'Hello One Two Bravo, this is One Three Charley. Say again over'...
'One Two Bravo, we advance to contact... large explosion, engaged with enemy small arms fire. Sunray down, out...'
'Hello One Two Bravo, this is One. We got all that intel. Eagle on it's way to your pos with One Three Charley as fire support team. Inbound at your pos 05 Mikes. Mark your pos with red smoke, ok? over...'
'One Two Bravo, ok... out...'
To conclude...
I have learned that some soldiers never really come home and that their wounds are deep and cannot be seen. Also, that the conflict is never quite over and that victory is not something that belongs to anyone.
That the true power a soldier has is in his ability to show mercy to others less powerful than himself. It is ok to talk about your feelings. It is not a weekness but a strength that others can learn from... That you are what you feel, you are nothing more.
I still walk and talk with you all and if there is a God who created all things then I would like to believe He made the stars and threw them into the night sky so they could shine forever as a monument to all soldiers (wherever they come from) who have suffered. Sometimes "the brightest things come from darkness".
Joe Brown (call sign One Three Charley)
BTS would encourage anyone wishing to donate money to a worthy cause to contribute to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal or Help For Heroes