Member of the Order of the British Empire : Major D Bryant Accession Number: REL29308.001

Description

Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division). Unnamed as issued.

Contextual Description

48001 Don Bryant was born in 1918 and was commissioned in the Citizen Military Forces early in the Second World War. Transferring to the 2nd AIF, he joined 2/48 Battalion, becoming commander of 'C' Company in 1941. For his gallant leadership of this company at Tel El Eisa in July 1942, he was awarded the Military Cross. He was wounded later in the North African campaign, but recovered to see service in the Pacific. Post-war, Bryant remained in the Australian Army, holding a variety of positions including Camp Commandant at the Woomera Range and Senior Instructor at the School of Infantry. He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1960, and retired in 1969 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The citation for the award of the MBE reads, in part: 'In all his postings Major Bryant has performed his duties thoroughly, cheerfully accepting any additional responsibility placed upon him, particularly during the past three years when he has been called upon to organise and control service activities in connection with flood relief, fighting of bush fires and other extraneous commitments. He has worked most diligently and efficiently in his duties connected with the current reorganisation. His ready acceptance of responsibility and energetic initiative has been an outstanding example to all who are associated with him and has done much to improve the public relations of the Army in this Command.'