Flying Officer Sidney
Thomas Bryans
Bryans was born in the Eglinton district of Londonderry on 14th August 1919 to Joseph Bryans, Clerk and Ella Jane Bryans nee Hoffman. They were married on 14th September 1914 at Tralee Church of Ireland.Bryans joined the Belfast Banking Company on 4th May 1937. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him and gave his address as Hilden, Northland Road, Londonderry.
Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet
Bryans volunteered and enlisted into the RAF Volunteer Reserve with Service Number 1062413. London Gazette entries record him receiving a commission with Service Number 144392.
Following his return from Active Service, he was transferred to Limavady branch on 23rd September 1946.
In 1948 Bryans left the bank and re-joined the RAF as an Instructor.
Bryans died on 5th October 1950 in an airplane accident at Sydenham Aerodrome (RAF Sydenham / Royal Naval Air Station). He had been instructing 2 officer cadets from Queen's University Officer Training Corps (OTC).
Various newspapers reported on the accident:
Derry Journal - 6th March 1950
Irish Independent - 6th March 1950
Belfast Telegraph - 8th March 1950
Belfast Telegraph - 16th March 1950
The family placed 'In Memoriam' notices on an annual basis.
Londonderry Sentinel - 5th March 1953
PRONI Wills record:
Flying Officer Instructor Sidney T Bryans is buried in Londonderry. He is remembered on the Armed Forces Memorial and their Roll of Honour.
Rejoined the RAF as a pilot officer in 1948? and was killed in a flying accident at RNAS Belfast (Belfast city Airport) in March 1950
ReplyDeleteBryans features in the London Gazette supplement dated 9th August 1949.
ReplyDeleteThe Armed Forces Memorial confirms the death of Flying Officer Sidney Thomas Bryans, aged 30 on 5th March 1950. Sad news, but thanks must go to the anonymous contributor who posted earlier tonight.
ReplyDelete