Notes
Born in Oxford on 6 February 1909, the 1st son of Charles Edward Brownrigg, a schoolmaster, and Valerie [Akerman] of Magdalen College School, Oxford, John was educated at Winchester College (1922-1927) and then Corpus where he achieved a 2nd class degree in Modern History in 1931: he also was Captain of the college Association Football Club (1929-1930), Cricket Club (1930), President of the Owlets (1930) and President of the Oldham Society (1931). Upon leaving university he joined the Burma Oil Company (1931-1939), spending time in their Chittagong and Ahyab Branches before war was declared and he enlisted.