Chown worked for Pembroke in the Kitchens, rising to the position of Head Chef. Chown left school in 1926, and became an apprentice in the Pembroke kitchens. He was also a hero of World War II, spending much of it as a prisoner of war of the Japanese. His story is told in a Chapter of the book "A will to live" by Michael Bentinck (1996). After 1945, he resumed work at Pembroke, first as Second Chef, later Chef and finally Chef Manager. Chown retired in 1976, and received his MBE shortly thereafter. Further details of his career may be found in the Annual Gazettes of 1977, where his retirement was marked with an unsigned article, believed to be by Bill Hutton, of 1999 where Chown himself gave some reminiscences, and 2002 where his obituary is written.