Educated in HMS Conway, Brown joined the Royal Navy in June 1945.

[1] He became He was appointed Director of Naval Operations and Trade under the Ministry of Defence Naval Staff in 1972, Director of Officer Appointments (Executive) in 1976 and Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Operations) in 1980.

[1] In this capacity he was responsible for briefing senior naval officers and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on the planning for the Falklands War.

[2] He went on to be Flag Officer, Plymouth and Admiral Superintendent at Devonport in 1982 before retiring in 1985.

[1] In retirement he became a consultant to the insurance brokers, Hogg Group[1] and Chairman of the Governors of Broadmoor Hospital.