Roy Brown's Illness

22 July 2001, 08:50 PM

Hello all. What was Roy Brown's stomach trouble (in medical terms preferably)? Did he ever get well? Thanks for any response, regards, Bill.

Billy_Bishop · 23 July 2001, 05:01 AM

I don't know if anyone ever REALLY diagnosed his stomach condition, but chances are it was more related to flying a machine powered by a rotary engine that used castor oil for lubrication of which it leaked the oil during it's normal running process. Said leakage being blown back into the pilot's face.

THAT would give anyone stomach problems!!

VBR,

Al Lowe

23 July 2001, 07:20 AM

The castor oil effects has been written about before. However, I would not ascribe Brown's condition to the castor oil ingestion, but rather to combat stress. In the book "No Parachute" the author, Arthur Gould Lee describes similar stomach troubles. It was after a few stressful weeks of ground strafing attacks in misty weather where he was shot down 2-3 times in as many days. Also, several close calls with trees, chimney stacks, etc. One of his colleagues was killed in the heavy ground mists while flying adjacent to him. Lee didn't know until later the mist was so thick.

Stress affects many people in the stomach and Brown was afflicted by this. The Doctors didn't understand stress like they do now.

I'm not a doctor, but I feel that it was more than just the effects of the castor oil. Many pilots I've read drank brandy and milk as a stomach settler.

AW

Billy_Bishop · 23 July 2001, 08:17 AM

Could Be it was a combination of stress, castor oil and perhaps too much alcohol that gave him his ailments.

VBR,

Al Lowe

Volker_Nemsch · 23 July 2001, 08:46 AM

I don´t remember where I read it, but his stomach troubles were described as ulcer(s).

I´ll try to find out where I stumbled across this information.

Best regards
Volker

Ginger. · 23 July 2001, 11:53 AM

Bet he felt a sight better when The Von shook a seven!!!

Craig · 23 July 2001, 12:31 PM

A-a-a-a-h! Like a breath of fresh air, with a hint of. . . of . . . aw, it's just ginger.

23 July 2001, 03:39 PM

Although I realize it was (and probably is) a common hobby among fighter pilots, I just don't get the impression that Roy Brown drank a lot.

MDD

WFS · 23 July 2001, 06:44 PM

"Knights of the Air" from Time-Life books reports that Brown suffered from ulcers. Dale Titler in "TDTRBD" said that Brown suffered from "...shattered nerves, a refractory stomach, and a painful inflamed colon. Battle fatigue and critical gastritis." Titler also said that Brown died of a heart attack in 1944. Wayne

24 July 2001, 03:35 AM

More might be gained from a review of his postings as recorded in AIR 76 at the PRO. They show the following:

Appointed Probationary Flight Sub-Lieutenant in Ottawa, 15 November 1915; sailed from New York on 2 December 1915; to Chingford, 15 November 1915; to Eastchurch Gunnery School, 8 September 1916; Cranwell, 1 January 1917 (sick and attending "G" Course); to Dover Air Station, 24 January 1917; No.9 (N) Squadron, 10 March 1917; sick on 20 April 1917; returned to No.9 (N) Squadron, 10 May 1917; to No.11 (N) Squadron, 23 May 1917; sick 25 May to 2 June 1917; to No.9 (N) Squadron, 2 August 1917 through to 30 April 1918 (with time off in late 1917 for leave in Canada). Wounded 30 September 1917; at No.24 General Hospital, 30 April to 16 June 1918; to No.2 Fighting School, 6 July 1918; injured 15 or 17 July 1918 but continued to be on nominal roll of No.2 Fighting School; admitted to Eaton Square Hospital, 15 February 1919; duties dispensed with, 1 August 1919; discharged 8 November 1919. Died in Stouffville, Ontario, 9 March 1944 (of heart failure, if I recall).

The experts out there may wish to investigate the nature of No.24 General Hospital and the Eaton Square Hospital.