Flying log books of Group Captain Oliver Campbell Bryson, 1916-1937

Five pilot's flying log books, bound into one volume of Group Captain Oliver Campbell Bryson. Bryson has quite a remarkable military career. Bryson was wounded in cavalry charge of the Dorset Yeomanry at Agagia in February 1916. After recuperating from his wounds he transferred to the RFC and began pilot training, gaining his Royal Aero Club Certificate in December 1916.

On 8 March 1917 the aircraft in which he was flying with 2nd Lieutenant Hillebrandt crashed and caught fire, despite his own injuries Bryson returned to the burning aircraft to rescue Hillebrandt and once free of the aircraft proceeded to extinguish Hillebrandt's burning clothing. Sadly Hillebrandt succumbed to his injuries a few days later, but for his efforts Bryson was awarded the Albert Medal later exchanged for the George Cross. Bryson was posted to No.19 Squadron in France in July 1917 and was awarded the Military Cross in February 1918. He later commanded a squadron of bombers in the British intervention in the Russian Civil War in 1919, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). Bryson was awarded a bard to his DFC for operations over India, 1928-1931. Bryson's medal bar is in the RAF Museum's collection accession number 1997/0279/D.