[2] Brandon was practising law for his father's company 'Brandon, Hislop and Johnston' in Wellington when the war broke out in August 1914.

[1][4] He joined the Royal Flying Corps, receiving a commission as a probationary second lieutenant on 8 December 1915,[5] which was confirmed on 8 March 1916.

[7] It subsequently came down in the sea, and although the airship had already been damaged by anti-aircraft fire, his efforts won him the Military Cross.

[1] On the night of 23 September 1916 flying a B.E.2e fighter he attacked Zeppelin L 33, helping to bring the airship down in a field.

[14] Brandon married Ada Mabel Perry at the Cathedral Church of St Paul, Wellington, on 2 January 1942; he was 58, she 38.