[5] Brown had passed his entrance exam to read history at Worcester College, Oxford but he was first required to undertake mandatory National Service (1955–1957).

Preparations for engagement in Suez never materialised as British forces became absorbed into conflict against Greek Cypriot right-wing nationalist guerrilla organisation (EOKA) fighting for the unification of Cyprus and Greece.

[4] Brown returned to Essex in the Spring of 1957 and was transferred to the Regular Army Reserves of Officers on 29 July 1957, thereby ending his active service.

[8] At the end of the summer break, Brown joined the intake of 1957 to Oxford, which was dominated by students coming out of two years of national service with little or no thought of academic study.

[9] Term time for Brown was devoted to the study of law but the long summer vacations were given over to backpacking around post-war Europe, or earning money as a tour-guide for wealthy (mostly trans-Atlantic) travellers.

After being called to the bar, Brown did his pupillage in Crown Office Row, with Owen Stable as his pupil master.