John Browne, 6th Baron Kilmaine facts for kids

John Francis Archibald Browne, 6th Baron Kilmaine, known as John Browne, was an important person who worked to protect old buildings and cultural treasures. He was born on September 22, 1902, and passed away on July 26, 1978. He held a special title called a "hereditary peer," which meant he inherited a noble rank in Ireland. He also received an honor called the CBE for his great work.

Early Life and Education

John Browne was the son of John Browne and Lady Aline Kennedy. His mother was the daughter of the Marquess of Ailsa, another noble title.

He spent his early childhood in Gaulston, Mayo, a place in Ireland. Later, when he was in his twenties, his family moved to Kent, England.

John went to excellent schools. He studied at Winchester, which is a very old and famous school. There, he won an award for English speaking. He was also very good at shooting and even represented Ireland in the sport. After Winchester, he continued his studies at Magdalen College, Oxford, a well-known university.

Early Career and War Service

After finishing his education, John Browne worked for the British Xylonite Company from 1925 to 1929. Then, he became the Secretary for University College, Southampton until 1933.

In 1933, he helped start the Oxford Society. This group aimed to connect people who had studied at Oxford University. He worked as the Secretary for this society until 1940.

During the Second World War, John Browne served in the army. He was part of the Royal Army Service Corps. He reached the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, which is a high position in the army. He was also mentioned twice for his bravery and good service, which is a special recognition.

Protecting History and Public Service

In 1945, John Browne became the Secretary of the Pilgrim Trust. This organization helps good causes, and under his leadership, it started focusing more on protecting cultural heritage. This means looking after old buildings, art, and historical sites.

He believed it was important to save old churches. He suggested creating a national group to raise money for church repairs. Because of his efforts, the Historic Churches Preservation Trust was founded. This trust helps keep old churches from falling apart.

John Browne also continued his work with the Oxford Society. He became its chairman in 1949 and stayed in that role until 1973. As chairman, he helped organize a special exhibition in London. It showed items from the collections of the Ashmolean Museum and the Bodleian Library. This event happened during the Coronation of Elizabeth II and celebrated the Oxford Society's twenty-first birthday.

In 1956, he was honored with the CBE award for all his hard work for the country. Later, in 1972, the University of Oxford gave him an honorary doctorate. This was a special degree given to him to recognize his important contributions.

Besides these roles, he was also a Vice-President of the Friends of Lambeth Palace Library. He was also a Trustee of the Dulverton Trust, another organization that supports good causes. From 1966 to 1976, he served as the High Steward of Harwich, a ceremonial role in that town.