Service number:

137792

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

John Bryan served in Sidi Barrani, subsequently on Crete and was wounded in 1941 in Palestine/Syria as commander of B Company. Thereafter he served in Tobruk and was made a prisoner-of-war in November 1941.

Promotions:
January 17th, 1924: enlisted
November 28th, 1927: Corporal (4852967)
February 18th, 1930: Lance Sergeant
June 5th, 1932: Sergeant
October 1st, 1938: Platoon Sergeant-Major
? Warrant Officer Class I
June 17th, 1940: Lieutenant
1941: Captain (war subs/temporary?)
June 11th, 1951: Captain
July 12th, 1954: Major
December 7th, 1957: discharge at own request and made Honorary Major
June 18th, 1948: awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Military) without gratuity.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

The Leicester Regiment

Awarded on:

April 25th, 1941

Citation:
"In the attack on Sidi Barrini on 10th Dec. 1940 the battalion was advancing in M.T. and came under heavy arty fire, firing over open sights and MG fire. 3 carries were knocked out Lt. Bryan getting the remaining crews into ground action under heavy fire. Later it was necessary to withdraw the carriers and send them in support of "D" Coy. Lt.Bryan succesfully accomplished this & the subsequent advance of "C" and "D" Coys", the carriers were largely responsible for the capture of the position under heavy MG fire from the front & flank preceding the Coys by 500x. "A" Coy in the meantime had got pinned to the ground 1000x to the right flank, and in spite of only 2 guns out of firing, the carriers were able to extricate the Coy and clear up the situation. Throughout the action, Lt.Bryan displayed complete disregard for his personal safety and his calmness under fire and example to his men was an inspiration to them. His handling of the carriers was beyond all praise."

• - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 34888 published on the 2 July 1940
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35144 published on the 22 April 1941
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38325 published on the 15 June 1948
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 39345 published on the 28 September 1951
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 40228 published on the 9 July 1954
  - The Royal Leicester Regiment