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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 378

Six: Commander J. P. G. Bryant, Fleet Air Arm, who served as Commander (Flying) aboard H.M.S. Furious as part of Operation Torch and later Operations Tungsten and Goodwood, the strikes on Tirpitz in Kaafjord

Naval General Service Medal 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (Lt. Commdr. R. J. P. G. Bryant. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, with clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, minor contact wear, very fine (6)

John Paul Guido Bryant was born at Marylebone, London in January 1905, the son of John and Stella Bryant. Commissioned Sub-Lieutenant and serving attached to the R.A.F. on 15 November 1927 and stationed at No.1 Flying Training School Netheravon with No. 9 Naval Pilots Course. Promoted Lieutenant prior to 1933 he was detached from the R.A.F. and returned to Naval Service on 2 January 1933. Appointed to Command 445 Flight on 30 May 1935 he was the final commander of this unit before its renumbering the next year on 15 July 1936 when he became commander of the new No. 713 (Catapult) Flight. Not long later he was promoted Lieutenant-Commander on 29 February 1936 and continued to command this unit as it operated Osprey seaplanes from H.M.S. Arethusa, H.M.S. Galatea and later the Penelope.

Transferring to No. 802 Squadron flying Sea Gladiators on 11 January 1938 Bryant was posted with them to the Aircraft Carrier H.M.S. Glorious. It was with this vessel that he was serving when war broke out and Glorious along with its compliment of aircraft was sent to the Indian Ocean as trade protection. Here they undertook part of the hunt for the Graf Spee as part of Force J. Fortunately for Bryant when the carrier was ordered to join the Norwegian Campaign in April 1940 he was transferred- on 22 April- and as such wasn't aboard for the fatal confrontation with the Gneisenau on 8 June which saw Glorious lost along with 802 Squadron.

Prompted Commander on 31 December 1940 Bryant served ashore for his next three postings at Royal Navy Air Stations, Condor, Merlin and Landrail before his next active posting. Appointed Commander (Flying) aboard H.M.S. Furious on 20 January 1942 he served with the vessel for several years, likely boarding her on 12 April when she arrived on the Clyde for a refit. Furious moved to cover the North African Landings as part of Operation Torch. Her aircraft strafed Tafraoui and attacked La Senia airfield, destroying a large number of aircraft on the ground and finally covered the landings at Oran.

Sent North to Norway as part of the plan to draw German naval assists away from the Sicily. She became part of Operation Tungsten on 3 April 1944 alongside Victorious a strike by carrier borne Barracudas against Tirpitz. The attack was a success with the enemy having no warning of the raid and Tirpitz being holed twice around the waterline although her armour meant that there was little damage to the superstructure. Bryant himself received a 'mention' (London Gazette 8 June 1944) around this time with the recommendation stating:

'During the two years he has been in the ship as Commander (Flying) he has shown most marked application to his duty and has been materially responsible for maintaining a high standard of efficiency on the flying side in a ship that presents many inherent difficulties and limitations due to her age. His invaluable services rendered include the period prior to "Furious" joining the Home Fleet a year ago, when she was employed on operations in the Mediterranean culminating in covering the landings at Oran.'

A later strike Operation Goodwood in late August met with failure however, despite damaging German shipping in the area they were unable to damage Tirpitz. Bryant left the ship not long later in October 1944, he served at St. Angelo, Malta from July 1945 until April 1946. Later appearing on Naval Lists as Commander but without a location. Retiring on 17 December 1949 Bryant died on 23 March 1973; sold together with a collection of original photographs and copied research including navy lists, typed research, squadron and ship histories as well as an extract from Seedie's Roll Revised Edition, typed research, the official M.I.D. recommendation and copied photographs.

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Sold for
£750

Starting price
£210