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Auction: 14003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 55

A Second War 1940 'Sidi Barrani' M.C. Group of Eight to Major J.W. Bryan, Leicestershire Regiment
a) Military Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1941'
b) General Service 1918-62, G.VI.R., one clasp, Palestine (4852967 W.O. Cl. 2. J.W. Bryant [sic]. Leic. R.), partially officially corrected
c) Africa Star
d) 1939-1945 Star
e) Defence and War Medals
f) Coronation 1953
g) Army Long Service & G.C., G.VI.R., with 'Regular Army' suspension (Lieut. J.W. Bryan, M.C. R. Leicester.), 1st and 2nd Stars mounted on wrong ribands in this order, remnants of adhesive throughout, generally nearly very fine or better, mounted as originally worn (8)

M.C. London Gazette 25.4.1941 Lieutenant (temporary Captain) John William Bryan (137792) 2nd Bn, Leicestershire Regiment
The Recommendation states: 'During the attack on Sidi Barrani, on the 10th December, 1940, the battalion came under heavy fire, over open sights, from enemy artillery and from machine guns. Three carriers were knocked out but Lieutenant Bryan got the remaining crews successfully into ground action in spite of heavy fire. Later the carriers were ordered to withdraw and move to the support of a rifle company. This was successfully accomplished.

In the subsequent advance the carriers preceded the rifle companies by 500 yards in the face of heavy machine gun fire from front and flank. The capture of the position was largely due to their action. Meanwhile another company had got pinned to the ground 1,000 yards away on the right flank. Although, by now, he had only two guns still firing Lieutenant Bryan succeeded in extricating this company and cleaning up the situation. Bryan's handling of his carriers was worthy of the highest praise. He displayed a complete disregard for his own safety. His calmness under fire was an example and an inspiration to his men.'

Major John William 'Jack' Bryan, M.C., served 26 years with the Leicestershire Regiment, and he 'joined the Regiment at Glen Parva in January, 1924 and, after completing his recruit's training, joined the 1st Battalion, with whom he went to Egypt in January, 1925 and to India in November, 1927. He was promoted to Sergeant in January, 1930 and served on the staff of the Small Arms School, Pachmarhi for nearly two years, after which he again re-joined the 1st Battalion at Multan…. He was posted as a Staff Sergeant Instructor at the R.M.C., Sandhurst in January, 1937.

In April, 1939 he joined the 2nd Battalion in Palestine on promotion to W.O. III (P.S.M.); further promotion to W.O. II and W.O. I (R.S.M. 2nd Bn) quickly followed. It was in Palestine where he was awarded the G.O.C.'s Certificate for outstandingly good work in action against armed bandits.

He was commissioned in June, 1940 and promoted Captain in December, 1940. Jack Bryan had considerable battle experience when he was in action with the 2nd Battalion in the Western Desert, Crete and Syria. He was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery at Sidi Barrani when he was in charge of the Carrier Platoon which charged two batteries of 75mm. guns whose gunners were firing over open sights. The carriers charged through them, silenced them and then proceeded to aid the 2nd Battalion in mopping up operations which resulted in 2,000 Italians being taken prisoners.

His next job was a rest cure after being wounded as Camp Commandant, Cyprus. His unique instructional gifts were next utilised at the I.T.C., Warwick, where he commanded a training company for some years until he was posted as a Company Commander with the 5th Manchester Regiment in Malta. In November, 1946 he was posted as a Company Commander to No. 17 P.T.C. at Glen Parva where he remained until his retirement except for one short spell at Midland Brigade T.C.

Jack Bryan represented the Regiment at boxing for many years and is the proud possessor of over twenty cups. He also played as a forward in both 1st and 2nd Battalion rugger teams for several years. He has always been a keen and excellent shot with all infantry weapons, some of his achievements being Individual Rifle Championship, Malta, 1946; member of the winning team in the Inter-Services Match, 1946; Individual L.M.G. Champion Northern Command, 1947; member of the team to win first Army Cup Sten Gun Competition, 1948.'

Bryan left the Army in 1950 and rejoined in 1952, serving for several years at the Depot; he was promoted Major 12.7.1954; the following year he was posted to Training battalion The Nigeria Regiment; he relinquished his commission 7.12.1957.


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