Brandon Bryers, RNAS 7

[stephen]

Hi all;

I'm looking to add to my base of info for Brandon Bryers of RNAS 7.

His widow told me that he flew SPADs (apparently two-seat SPADs) before switching over to Handley Pages. It does appear that RNAS 7 has something of a potpourri of airplanes when they first entered service, including a handful of Shorts, so perhaps they did have a few SPADs around. Can anyone confirm?

Late in 1917, Bryers crashed an H-P and was sent to the Naval field hospital nearby, later transferring to another hospital in Winnipeg. He never went back to Europe. Bryers received the Belgian Croix de Guerre for his wartime service.

Any additional information on Bryers would be most appreciated. Thanks!

[Mystère]

Hi Stephen,

As far as I know, 7(N)-207 Sqdn flew the Voisin biplane, BE2c, Henry Farman F27, Short 827, Caudron G.IV, Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter, Short Bomber and Handley Page 0/100 & 0/400. (information from Royal Navy Aircraft serials & units, Sturtivant & Page).

No mention about the SPAD XI. I even wonder if any RFC/RNAS/RAF Sqdn flew this type of aircraft, but I'm sure I will be corrected if I'm wrong.

Don't have no mention of when and why he was cited for his Belgian CdG.

Walter

[stephen]

Thanks, Walter. I can't find anything on SPADs in service with RNAS 7 either, but I'm not surprised to find the list of planes you mention. That's helpful and appreciated.

Any other data on Bryers or RNAS 7's planes would be A Good Thing. Tx.

[josquin]

Stephen,

Here is some additional biographical detail for Brandon Hamilton Bryers:
(1) from the National Archives, UK, online service:
--RNAS officer's service record, at ADM 273/13/117
--RAF officer's service record, at AIR 76/63--as "Brandon
Hamilton Bryers, 26 July 1894" --regrettably, the RAF has both
the wrong day and year for his birthdate--but it is likely that
he shaved a year off his birthdate to qualify for the service,
since his Canadian attestation papers give his birthdate as
28 July 1893, residence in Winnipeg, service # 910088.

(2) Ontario Births records his birth as "Frederick Brandon Bryers,"
born 28 July 1893, at Toronto, Ontario, the son of
Frederic Thomas & Eleanor ("Ettie") (Hamilton) Bryers.
The Canada Census verifies the 1893 birthdate but gives
his name as "Brandon Hamilton Bryers" rather than the
name recorded in the birth records.

I hope this is useful for you.

Regards

Josquin

[stephen]

Originally Posted by josquin

Stephen,

Here is some additional biographical detail for Brandon Hamilton Bryers:
(1) from the National Archives, UK, online service:
--RNAS officer's service record, at ADM 273/13/117
--RAF officer's service record, at AIR 76/63--as "Brandon
Hamilton Bryers, 26 July 1894" --regrettably, the RAF has both
the wrong day and year for his birthdate--but it is likely that
he shaved a year off his birthdate to qualify for the service,
since his Canadian attestation papers give his birthdate as
28 July 1893, residence in Winnipeg, service # 910088.

(2) Ontario Births records his birth as "Frederick Brandon Bryers,"
born 28 July 1893, at Toronto, Ontario, the son of
Frederic Thomas & Eleanor ("Ettie") (Hamilton) Bryers.
The Canada Census verifies the 1893 birthdate but gives
his name as "Brandon Hamilton Bryers" rather than the
name recorded in the birth records.

I hope this is useful for you.

Regards

Josquin

Very much so. Thank you!