Author Topic: Harry (Henry BRYSON) War Service Research, WWII, St. Nazaire, Berwick/Nothumberl  (Read 1018 times)

Offline Doreen Peacock

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I am researching HARRY BRYSON (Henry Bryson's) War service.  I have no service no. or units in which he served.

Enlisted from Reserves in 1939.
Was at St Nazaire - possibly evacuated from there in 1941.
Though to be in Berwick, possibly with Combat Engineers, USA 43/44.  Went to Sherbourne for mine laying exercises for D.D. invasion June 1944.
Demobbed 1sr Sept 1944.  Age related or injury?

I've traced a friend's War Service at same time, with no SERVICE No., but can't find traces of Harry.

Harry/Henry Bryson died in 1978 after retiring from Post Office in Londonderry.

Offline shanreagh

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Offline aghadowey

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Re: Harry (Henry BRYSON) War Service Research, WWII, St. Nazaire, Berwick/Nothumberl
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday 12 August 25 21:15 BST (UK) »
Another new topic-
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=893216.msg7674490#msg7674490

A Henry (Harry) Bryson of 24 St. Francis Terrace, Collon, Derry died 29 Apr.1978. His widow still alive in April 1989.
Away sorting out DNA matches... I may be gone for some time many years!

Offline Doreen Peacock

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Re: Harry (Henry BRYSON) War Service Research, WWII, St. Nazaire, Berwick/Nothumberl
« Reply #3 on: Friday 15 August 25 22:04 BST (UK) »
ManyThanks for putting your mind to my query. Yes,  I have that - His wife died in 1998. A son and daughter died; One daughter married and lived in England.... I can't trace her surviving family, she married a Serviceman in RAF., (but different religion), meant a fraught relationship with them living in N. Ireland at the time of The troubles. 

As Henry Died in 1978, is it possible for me to find out about his injury in 43/44?

He was demobbed in Sept. 1944 presumably due to his injuries. Thought to have spent time in Berwick - was he injured in training with the Americans in Sherbourn, Kent; or rehabilition after being injuried in Europe,  after D. Day?

Was he attached to Americian Combat Engineers (New York Battalion) based in Berwick, who went to Sherbourne, Kent for live excercises for laying mines Feb/March 1944 prior to D. Day -  to facilitate access on beaches on D.Day? - There was a live 'Friendly Fire' accident, Wagon turning over onto a live mine -  killing 29 of the Americans.  Was that where he was injured, or Europe?

Is there anyway, I can trace his War, without having his Service No., or Units? - he had more than one Unit over his War, due to being deployed and attached to different ones after the Evacuation in 1941 etc. I know his D.O.B., and Date of Death; address etc., and that he had been on Reserve prior to 1939 when he enlisted for the B.E.F. but don't know if he enlisted in N.I. or England.

I've managed to trace my Step Father's war from enlisting to Bruneval 'Operation Biting' in Feb. 1942 to recover a Radar, and two Operatives and return them to England...... then he later went to Burma later, different battles and demob; medals etc.

but still no trace of Henry (Harry Bryson). It's so annoying and frustrating, being so close and yet so far from completeing the final relations War records for future generations, due to family,  losing touch.