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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 522

(x) A Second World War North Africa M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant R. T. C. Bryant, Royal Artillery, who saw service in the Libyan deserts with anti-tank and anti-aircraft regiments but was taken Prisoner of War, suffering in appalling conditions until his release on 11 April 1945

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (871093 Sjt. R.T.C. Bryant. R.A.); 1938-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted court-style as worn traces of lacquer, nearly very fine (4)

M.M. London Gazette 21 February 1946.

Robert Taylor Charles Bryant was born on 25 March 1920 at Bristol, Gloucestershire. He worked as a Grocer prior to the war, joining the Territorial Army on 23 June 1937 at Southampton. Serving with the rank of Gunner, joined 153 Heavy Battery, R.A. (T.A.), on 26 September 1938, leaving the Territorials for the Regular Army he enlisted on 11 April 1939. He was certainly present for Dunkirk, being awarded the Dunkirk Veteran's Medal after the War. He then served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, writing several undated letters to his brother in which his is serving with 1 Sub, C Troop with the rank of Sergeant. Bryant was taken prisoner at El Abem, Libya on 15 June 1942. From here he undertook a series of journeys, firstly to Porte St. Giorgio in December 1942, were he suffered from Malnutrition and Osteomyelitis from May 1943. Transferred to a Hospital in Termino in June he stayed there until being moved to Germany in November. Transferred to Stalag VIII B at Lamsdorf and was employed in polishing gravestones at Niklasdorf from January 1944 until October when he moved to Stalag VIII A at Gorlitz. Bryant's records recount one tale from his time as a P.O.W., stating:

'The bad conditions under which we marched from E Germany to the W then back. Marching from 14th Feb. for (...) of recapture 11th April. This was accompanied by lack of food, bad accommodation, sanitation, at a brick factory at Duderstadt which held us, 2,000 in all, this was especially noticeable. A broken pump provided water for all. Here a S. African was shot for making a fire for cooking.'

An article in the Daily Echo on 25 March 1946 provides some context for his release stating that he had been:

'Taken care of by American forces near the Elbe in April of last year...he was on the march with other prisoners-of-war, who had freed themselves as the German troops retreated.'

Duly awarded the M.M. he also applied for an Italy Star and France and Germany Star but was informed that he wasn't eligible on 27 March 1979. By this stage he was living in Victoria, Australia. He was however awarded the Corps of Commissionaires Merit Medal with a 15 year bar on 23 August 1988; sold together with a comprehensive research file including original attestation papers, award documents and newspaper cuttings as well as photographs, postcards and letters along with education certificates, Prisoner of War Interrogation records and certificates of service as well as a Dunkirk association lapel pin, a Corps of Commissionaries Merit Medal and Royal Artillery Sweetheart Brooch.

For the medals of his father please see Lot 345, for the medals of his father-in-law please see Lot 312 and for the medals of his uncle please see Lot 340. For his minature dress medals please see Lot 614.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£1,300

Starting price
£950