[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.

Brown had come up to Oxford to read history but by May 1958, he changed to law with his sights set on the Middle Temple.

[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.