Oliver Bryson
Encyclopedia
Oliver Campbell Bryson MC, DFC
with Bar, G.C.
(18 August 1896 – 27 March 1977), was a career Royal Air Force officer who served in both World Wars. He was a flying ace
credited with 12 aerial victories during World War I.
, and joined the Dorset Yeoman Cavalry in 1914. Shortly thereafter, he was wounded in action. While serving in Egypt, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
. On 15 March 1917, after a flaming crash, he rescued his fellow aircrew member. In July 1917, he was posted to fly a SPAD
for 19 Squadron in France. His first aerial victory followed shortly; he drove down a German observation plane down out of control on 25 August. By the end of the year, Bryson's victory total had increased to 11.
In January 1918, his king presented him with the George Cross for his heroism in rescuing his fellow airman following a crash at Wye Aerodrome. On 8 March, having upgraded to a Sopwith Dolphin fighter plane, Bryson scored his final victory of the war, destroying a German Albatros D.V
over Gheluvelt, Belgium. His final summary showed he had destroyed four enemy aircraft; two of these were shared victories, including one with Arthur Bradfield Fairclough
. Bryson's other eight wins were of the out of control variety; three of them were shared with such other aces as Albert Desbrisay Carter
.
, effective 1 August 1919.
Bryson was stationed in India from 1928–1931; he won a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts.
In 1933, Bryson was assigned to the Central Flying School
and put in charge of engines. He also was promoted to Squadron Leader
.
On 1 November 1938, Bryson was promoted from Wing Commander
to Group Captain
.
Oliver Campbell Bryson retired from the Royal Air Force in 1943, having served his crown and country for almost three decades.
"The KING was pleased, at Buckingham Palace, on Wednesday, the 9th instant, to present to Captain Oliver Campbell Bryson, Flight Commander, Royal Flying Corps, the Albert Medal
, which was awarded by His Majesty in recognition of his gallantry in endeavouring to save life in March last. The circumstances are as follows: —
Citation accompanying award of the Military Cross
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He made several difficult flights in
most unfavourable weather, and destroyed
several hostile machines. He proved himself
a determined and undaunted leader, and
set a splendid example of courage on all
occasions.
Citation accompanying award of the Distinguished Flying Cross
Has commanded a Squadron of heavy
bombing machines in North Russia during
the whole of the summer of 1919, during
which period he carried out a large number
of successful raids on the enemy's territory.
During the operations on the Northern Dvina in
August, and on the Pinega
in September,
1919, he flew a Snipe machine with exceptional
skill and daring. A very gallant
officer he has proved himself during these
exceptionally difficult aerial operations.
Oliver Campbell Bryson also won a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross in lieu of a second award. It was granted for his service on the Northwestern Frontier
of India during 1930.
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
with Bar, G.C.
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
(18 August 1896 – 27 March 1977), was a career Royal Air Force officer who served in both World Wars. He was a flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with 12 aerial victories during World War I.
World War I service
Bryson was educated at Bromsgrove SchoolBromsgrove School
Bromsgrove School, founded in 1553, is a co-educational independent school in the Worcestershire town of Bromsgrove, England. The school has a long history and many notable former pupils.-History:...
, and joined the Dorset Yeoman Cavalry in 1914. Shortly thereafter, he was wounded in action. While serving in Egypt, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
. On 15 March 1917, after a flaming crash, he rescued his fellow aircrew member. In July 1917, he was posted to fly a SPAD
Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés
SPAD was a French aircraft manufacturer between 1911 and 1921. Its SPAD S.XIII biplane was the most popular French fighter airplane in World War I.-Deperdussin:...
for 19 Squadron in France. His first aerial victory followed shortly; he drove down a German observation plane down out of control on 25 August. By the end of the year, Bryson's victory total had increased to 11.
In January 1918, his king presented him with the George Cross for his heroism in rescuing his fellow airman following a crash at Wye Aerodrome. On 8 March, having upgraded to a Sopwith Dolphin fighter plane, Bryson scored his final victory of the war, destroying a German Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
over Gheluvelt, Belgium. His final summary showed he had destroyed four enemy aircraft; two of these were shared victories, including one with Arthur Bradfield Fairclough
Arthur Bradfield Fairclough
Arthur Bradfield Fairclough MC was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 19 victories.-Military Cross:"Lt. Arthur Bradfield Fairclough, Can. M.G. Co. and R.F.C....
. Bryson's other eight wins were of the out of control variety; three of them were shared with such other aces as Albert Desbrisay Carter
Albert Desbrisay Carter
Albert Desbrisay Carter DSO & Bar was a Canadian World War I flying ace credited with 28 victories.-Early life and career:Albert Desbrisay Carter was born in Point de Bute, New Brunswick....
.
Post World War I
Oliver Bryson was one of the British aviators ordered to Russia in 1919 to support the White Army in its counter-revolution against the Bolsheviks. He commanded a bomber squadron, and also flew operations in a Snipe. His gallantry earned him a Distinguished Flying Cross. Bryson was also granted a permanent commission as Flight LieutenantFlight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
, effective 1 August 1919.
Bryson was stationed in India from 1928–1931; he won a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts.
In 1933, Bryson was assigned to the Central Flying School
Central Flying School
The Central Flying School is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912 it is the longest existing flying training school.-History:...
and put in charge of engines. He also was promoted to Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
.
On 1 November 1938, Bryson was promoted from Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
to Group Captain
Group Captain
Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...
.
Oliver Campbell Bryson retired from the Royal Air Force in 1943, having served his crown and country for almost three decades.
Honours and awards
Award proclamation for the Albert Medal for lifesaving:"The KING was pleased, at Buckingham Palace, on Wednesday, the 9th instant, to present to Captain Oliver Campbell Bryson, Flight Commander, Royal Flying Corps, the Albert Medal
Albert Medal (lifesaving)
The Albert Medal for Lifesaving was a British medal awarded to recognise the saving of life. It has since been replaced by the George Cross.The Albert Medal was first instituted by a Royal Warrant on 7 March 1866 and discontinued in 1971 with the last two awards promulgated in the London Gazette of...
, which was awarded by His Majesty in recognition of his gallantry in endeavouring to save life in March last. The circumstances are as follows: —
-
- On the 15th March]], 1917, Captain (then Lieutenant) Bryson, with Second Lieutenant Hillebrandt as passenger, was piloting an aeroplane at Wye Aerodrome when, owing to a sideslip, the machine crashed to the ground and burst into flames. On disentangling himself from the burning wreckage Captain Bryson at once went back into the flames, dragged Lieutenant Hillebrandt from the machine, and notwithstanding his own injuries, which were undoubtedly aggravated by his gallant efforts to rescue his brother officer from the fire, endeavoured to extinguish the fire on Lieutenant Hillebrandt's clothing. Lieutenant Hillebrandt succumbed to his injuries a few; days later."
Citation accompanying award of the Military Cross
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He made several difficult flights in
most unfavourable weather, and destroyed
several hostile machines. He proved himself
a determined and undaunted leader, and
set a splendid example of courage on all
occasions.
Citation accompanying award of the Distinguished Flying Cross
Has commanded a Squadron of heavy
bombing machines in North Russia during
the whole of the summer of 1919, during
which period he carried out a large number
of successful raids on the enemy's territory.
During the operations on the Northern Dvina in
August, and on the Pinega
Pinega River
The Pinega is a river in Verkhnetoyemsky, Pinezhsky, and Kholmogorsky Districts of Arkhangelsk Oblast in Russia. It is a right tributary of the Northern Dvina River. It is long, and the area of its basin...
in September,
1919, he flew a Snipe machine with exceptional
skill and daring. A very gallant
officer he has proved himself during these
exceptionally difficult aerial operations.
Oliver Campbell Bryson also won a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross in lieu of a second award. It was granted for his service on the Northwestern Frontier
North-West Frontier (military history)
The North-West Frontier was the most difficult area, from a military point of view, of the former British India in the Indian sub-continent. It remains the frontier of present-day Pakistan, extending from the Pamir Knot in the north to the Koh-i-Malik Siah in the west, and separating the...
of India during 1930.