John Samuel Bryson, born in 1913 and from Westmount, Canada was formerly of the Royal Canandian Mounted Police. He joined the RAF on a short service commission in January 1939. After completing his training at 13 FTS Drem he joined 92 Squadron when it was reformed at Tangmere on 10th October 1939.
Over Dunkirk on 2nd June 1940 he damaged a He111. On 24th July he shared in shooting down a Ju88 which was bombing shipping in the Bristol Channel. It crashed on Martinhoe Common, near Lynton.
John Bryson was a close of friend of Tony Bartley in 92 Squadron and their relationship was described in detail in Bartley's 'Smoke trails in the sky'.
Bryson was shot down and killed by Me109s on 24th September 1940. His Spitfire, X4037, crashed and burned out near North Weald. Bartley describes in 'Smoke trails in the sky' how Bryson had somehow landed his Spitfire after his leg had been shattered by cannon shell. His friend was lifted out of the cockpit but was already dead.
He was 27 and is buried in St Andrew's churchyard, North Weald Bassett, Essex. College from January 1934 to July 1937.
Photo and text courtesy of Battle of Britain Monument website
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