Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- c. 1907 - c. 1910 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 album, photographic prints
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Vernon Sydney Brown (m. 1907) is largely responsible for the increased safety of air transport as a result of his efforts in the development of air crash investigation. Graduating as an engineer from Jesus College, Cambridge he worked in Gas Engineering until he joined the RFC Special Reserve in 1915. Learning to fly on the Vickers Gunbus at Joyce Green he then went to the Central Flying School where he was appointed an Assistant Instructor. Later being posted to the Experimental Station at Orfordness, he was involved in tests with machine guns and fighter tactics as well as conducting tests into 'blacking out' and flying BE2 aircraft used in parachute dropping experiments. In 1919 he was seconded to the Ministry of Munitions staying in that post after the department had been absorbed into the Air Ministry.
On retiring at his own request, he joined the Civil Service as Chief Inspector of Accidents. With the outbreak of World War Two, he was granted the honorary rank of Group Captain in the RAFVR and was later promoted to Honorary Air Commodore. One of the major problems he solved during World War Two was why many Stirling aircraft were lost after they had entered dives. He discovered that the pilot's harness was so uncomfortable that most pilot's released it after take off, only fastening it again prior to landing. However, if the aircraft then went into a dive, the pilot would fall forwards over the control column, forcing it into an even steeper dive from which the pilot would be unable to recover. He continued to head the Accidents Investigation Branch until his final retirement in 1952 and during his tenure he laid the foundations of an effective organisation using techniques which would eventually be more concerned with preventing future accidents as opposed to simply determining the causes.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
From Vivien Rolf who donated the album to the College after it was found in a job lot at an auction.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Photograph album compiled by Browne whilst at Jesus.
- Six views of Jesus including the chimney, main gate on Jesus Lane and views of First Court
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Four views of Jesus, one of First Court, one of the cloisters the other two of the Carpenter building
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Six photographs of Cambridge (possibly Jesus?) students presumably all friends of Browne. No names but initials under photographs read B. W. V., H. S. P., H. P. H., G. M. B., S.W. W., H. P. H., B. H. ., C. F. C. L., A. C. H.
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The Freshers 1907 - showing a freshers group photograph where the Freshers are attempting to avoid being covered in Champagne
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The Freshers, 1907 - formal photograph of Jesus Freshers
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The Freshers, 1907 - formal photograph of Jesus Freshers taken outside the Chapel
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May Week, 1908. Photographs shows various individuals by the edge of the river (possibly in Fen Ditton) standing and sitting in boats as well as on the riverbank.
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Jesus May Ball 1908, group photograph
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'Old Eastbournians, 1907-1908'
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Six photographs of Cambridge (possibly Jesus?) students presumably all friends of Browne. No names but initials under photographs read A. C. H., B. W. P., B. E., P. W. P., H. S., H. G., R. E. O. C. Also a phtotograph of a car 'the De Dion'.
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Five photographs showing Mr and Mrs. A. J. Hill, 1908 Jesus 2nd boat making a bump, J. L. S., Jesus 2nd vs Pembroke 2nd (cricket), Jesus 1st vs Pembroke 1st (cricket). Inserted to this page is a loose photograph of two people in a car.
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May Week 1909, Photographs shows various individuals by the edge of the river (possibly in Fen Ditton) standing and sitting in boats as well as on the riverbank.
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'Old Eastbournians, 1908-1909'
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Masonic Ball, 1909. Loose photograph inserted of a car with 'Jinker II, 1910' written on the reverse.
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Three photographs. 'H. P. on the tennis courts', 'Pat' (a dog), May week 1909
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Three photographs. Senior Hockey 1909-1910. One photographed labelled with initials F. F., P. O. W. V., V. S. B (presumably Browne himself), J. L. P., J. A. C., S. G., L. P.
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Two photographs showing students dressed in theatrical costume.
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Three photographs showing students dressed in theatrical costume
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Photograph showing 14 individuals dressed in theatrical costume presumably for a student play.
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Hockey teamphotograph
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Hockey team photograph
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Cambridge University Musical Society, 1910
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Group of people on the river at Fen Ditton (possibly May Week)
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Photograph showing five men on a lawn mower.
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Four loose photographs. One showing King's Chapel from opposite side of the river, two men in a car, 'Auntie Connie' and 'Uncle Vernon'.
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Six photographs, two of a man ina car on Thompson's Lane, one of a man standing on Trinity Avenue, view of St. John's new court from the river, a man punting, ladies in boats by King's bridge.
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Close up but blurred photograph of a man with a moustache.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Spine gone. Front board detached with tearing to first page. Small amount of foxing to pages throughout.