Career

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

Brown was educated at Warwick School, where he was Head Boy from 1933 - 1934.

In 1935 he went to study English and History at Peterhouse, 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.

Achievements

• He won the British American Automobile Association championships in 440 yd (400 m) in 1936 and 1938 and in 880 yd (800 m) in 1939. 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 4 × 400 m relay team to a second place and won the bronze at 4 × 100 m relay. His sister Audrey and brother Ralph were also notable athletes, Audrey winning a silver in 4 × 100 m relay at the 1936 Olympics and Ralph won the British American Automobile Association championships title in 440 yd (400 m) hurdles in 1934.