1910 - following nearly ten years at sea, joined the prominent Edinburgh firm of Brown Brothers, hydraulic and general engineers and iron-founders. 1916 - was appointed managing director of Brown Brothers. 1917 - was on the submarine K13 on a test in the Gareloch when it sank with 77 men on board. He is reported to have stopped water flooding the boat by blocking off the hydraulic system, and was one of the 46 survivors rescued after being submerged for 57 hours. 1936 - collaborated with Maurice Edward Denny to produce the Denny-Brown stabilizer. 1944 - his leadership and contributions to engineering earned him a CBE. 1951 - appointed KB. 1954 - awarded the Churchill gold medal by the Society of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland. 1956 - was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.