Godfrey Brown

Who was Godfrey Brown?

Arthur Godfrey Kilner Brown was a British athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x400 m relay at the 1936 Summer Olympics. He later became Headmaster at the Royal Grammar School Worcester, a post which he held from 1950 until his retirement in 1978.

Born in Bankura, Bengal, India, Godfrey Brown was a highly talented runner at distances from 100 yd to the half mile. He won the British AAA championships in 440 yd in 1936 and 1938 and in 880 yd in 1939.

At the Berlin Olympics, Brown was narrowly beaten by Archie Williams in the 400 m individual event, but Brown anchored the British 4x400 m relay team to a gold medal ahead of the United States.

In 1937, Brown won 400 m at the World Student Games, with additional gold medals at both relays.

At the 1938 European Championships, Brown won the individual 400 m, anchored the British 4x400 m relay team to a second place and won the bronze at 4x100 m relay.

Brown was educated at Warwick School, where he was Head Boy from 1933 - 1934. There is no evidence whatsoever in the school's archives that he was briefly suspended in his final year. In 1935 he went to study English and History at Peterhouse College, Cambridge University and worked after graduation as a history master at Bedford School. Because his sight was poor he was not mobilized in the Army, staying as school master at Cheltenham College from 1943 - 1950. From 1950 till 1978, Brown was the headmaster of Worcester Royal Grammar School. He died in Sussex, aged 79.