Dear Sir, may you Rest In Peace, you will never been Forgotten 🙏
Bryan’s wishes are for a family service at Royal Wootton Bassett, if anyone
is in the Devizes area on Friday 11 September they are welcome to drop in
and raise a glass in his memory. The wake will be held in the Castle Inn
from 1300-1700. Flowers would be welcome at the Service, but equally
welcome would be a donation to the RTR Association fund. New Park St, Devizes SN10 1DS.
Last edited 1 month ago by WOLFIE ( Kevan Howard) Beerling
RIP Bryan.
We go back a long way.
I remember the Cadre Course that I helped you through in Homs, Libya, many years ago to get your first stripe..
You did well and have done so all your army career.
I thank you for your support when I was RSM.
You will be sorely missed.
Trevor Dady
Absolute privilege to serve under Bryan as part of the Armoured Delivery Troop in the Gulf in 1990. A consummate gentleman who always looked after the team especially when faced with Logistics Corps intransigence!
I have a couple of stories from when he was OC Huntsman and before that as QM(T). An absolute first class gent. RIP Sir. See you at the bar when I get there. FN Tina.
Bryan was Ajax SSM when I joined in 1974 I found him to be a very good firm and fair SSM with whom you knew your place, never had any problems with him from the word go and it was a pleasure to serve with him. A truly professional soldier who will be sadly missed. RIP.
Like many others, I had the pleasure of working for and alongside Bryan throughout my career. He was without doubt a firstclass soldier and gentleman. RIP.
I had the great, good fortune to serve with Bryan in Ajax, from those halcyon Warminster days on Cent’ as the Tank Demo’ Sqn at the S of I in 1970, through to the Ajax Op Banner tour in ’74. Initially in Warminster, Bryan was SHQ Tp SSgt, taking over as SQMS when ‘Killer’ Kilbride became SSM.
Once the hierarchy got to grips with the S of I ‘Course Cycle’, it became clear that not only could we enter one team in the Salisbury Plain Minor Units league, but we could actually enter two teams, and I was just about good enough to get in the seconds. Not only that, but we were also often able to train a couple of times a week, and who took training and control of my football education… you’ve guessed it, Bryan the Lion, and it was an absolute pleasure… almost like the Army recruiting posters!
Shortly after our return to BAOR, and Münster, Bryan became SSM Ajax and in the summer of ’73 he once again used his vast experience to teach a number of us the rudiments of dinghy sailing on Lake Dümmersee, again just like the recruiting posters, and we had a whale of a time.
In ’74, Ajax took over from Badger in Ulster, and it was shortly after that, that Bryan and I stopped serving together in Ajax, although I managed to keep in touch over the years, with Frank Tole and I looking in on our old football coach/SSM during our second visit to the Wadworth’s brewery in Devizes a couple of years ago.
Like everyone has said, I learnt a helluva lot from Bryan, both about life itself and life in the Regiment. In my time he was undoubtedly a top man, SNCO and SSM. In the latter days of his stellar career, not only was he pivotal in introducing IFCS to the Armoured Corps, for which he was awarded the MBE, but he also headed up the War Maintenance Reserve, AKA the Armoured Delivery Troop during the Gulf War.
There is no doubt that a Regimental legend has gone to the Green Fields, and I am only grateful that I had the luck to serve with him.
The photo at the head of this tribute page was of Bryan practising in Libya for the presentation of our first Standard in Buckingham Palace in 1960. The pic below is when Bryan was OC of the ADT, ’90, front, third from right. I will post more pics on the 2RTR…back in the day website…
Bryan was one of the finest soldiers I’ve ever served with; everything was always correct, fair, honest and courageous. He never swerved the difficult issues and he was a master problem solver. As a young officer new to the Regiment, Bryan advised and helped me avoid the pitfalls of Troop Leading on many occasions. Later as QM he got me out of a couple of tricky issues. Farewell Bryan, RIP and my thoughts are with your family.
Brian was our OC Huntsman when I was in SHQ on 2IC’s wagon, he was a great leader with a persona like no other. He was firm but fair and always looked out for his men. Loved coming into the Sqn bar for a drink with the lads. RIP Lt Col Brian the Lion.
As a young 17 yr old newbie, he scared the hell out of me. I remember getting sent to stores in Canada, and he sent me away to “re-shave” as it wasn’t good enough. So off I trot back to the hut and cut myself to ribbons, only to return to him and a couple of others pissing themselves laughing!! RIP Brian, see you in the Green Fields.
A fine Second Tanks man in every respect with a long and distinguished career. He was very good to a young and foolish 2Lt when he was RQ, and that 2Lt never forgot his advice or kindness – despite his fierce exterior!
Dear Sir, may you Rest In Peace, you will never been Forgotten 🙏
Bryan’s wishes are for a family service at Royal Wootton Bassett, if anyone
is in the Devizes area on Friday 11 September they are welcome to drop in
and raise a glass in his memory. The wake will be held in the Castle Inn
from 1300-1700. Flowers would be welcome at the Service, but equally
welcome would be a donation to the RTR Association fund.
New Park St, Devizes SN10 1DS.
RIP Bryan.
We go back a long way.
I remember the Cadre Course that I helped you through in Homs, Libya, many years ago to get your first stripe..
You did well and have done so all your army career.
I thank you for your support when I was RSM.
You will be sorely missed.
Trevor Dady
Absolute privilege to serve under Bryan as part of the Armoured Delivery Troop in the Gulf in 1990. A consummate gentleman who always looked after the team especially when faced with Logistics Corps intransigence!
Rest in Peace Bryan.
I have a couple of stories from when he was OC Huntsman and before that as QM(T). An absolute first class gent. RIP Sir. See you at the bar when I get there. FN Tina.
Bryan was Ajax SSM when I joined in 1974 I found him to be a very good firm and fair SSM with whom you knew your place, never had any problems with him from the word go and it was a pleasure to serve with him. A truly professional soldier who will be sadly missed. RIP.
Like many others, I had the pleasure of working for and alongside Bryan throughout my career. He was without doubt a firstclass soldier and gentleman. RIP.
I had the great, good fortune to serve with Bryan in Ajax, from those halcyon Warminster days on Cent’ as the Tank Demo’ Sqn at the S of I in 1970, through to the Ajax Op Banner tour in ’74. Initially in Warminster, Bryan was SHQ Tp SSgt, taking over as SQMS when ‘Killer’ Kilbride became SSM.
Once the hierarchy got to grips with the S of I ‘Course Cycle’, it became clear that not only could we enter one team in the Salisbury Plain Minor Units league, but we could actually enter two teams, and I was just about good enough to get in the seconds. Not only that, but we were also often able to train a couple of times a week, and who took training and control of my football education… you’ve guessed it, Bryan the Lion, and it was an absolute pleasure… almost like the Army recruiting posters!
Shortly after our return to BAOR, and Münster, Bryan became SSM Ajax and in the summer of ’73 he once again used his vast experience to teach a number of us the rudiments of dinghy sailing on Lake Dümmersee, again just like the recruiting posters, and we had a whale of a time.
In ’74, Ajax took over from Badger in Ulster, and it was shortly after that, that Bryan and I stopped serving together in Ajax, although I managed to keep in touch over the years, with Frank Tole and I looking in on our old football coach/SSM during our second visit to the Wadworth’s brewery in Devizes a couple of years ago.
Like everyone has said, I learnt a helluva lot from Bryan, both about life itself and life in the Regiment. In my time he was undoubtedly a top man, SNCO and SSM. In the latter days of his stellar career, not only was he pivotal in introducing IFCS to the Armoured Corps, for which he was awarded the MBE, but he also headed up the War Maintenance Reserve, AKA the Armoured Delivery Troop during the Gulf War.
There is no doubt that a Regimental legend has gone to the Green Fields, and I am only grateful that I had the luck to serve with him.
The photo at the head of this tribute page was of Bryan practising in Libya for the presentation of our first Standard in Buckingham Palace in 1960. The pic below is when Bryan was OC of the ADT, ’90, front, third from right. I will post more pics on the 2RTR…back in the day website…
RIP Bryan…
A Great man, who spent alot of Time trying to set me straight..
Thanks for those lessons ..
R.I.P. Sir.
RIP Brian the Lion. And my condolences to the family. Make room at the bar in green field’s. FN
What an amazing guy, always firm but fair! Served under him at the start and end of my career, a great soldier RIP
Bryan was one of the finest soldiers I’ve ever served with; everything was always correct, fair, honest and courageous. He never swerved the difficult issues and he was a master problem solver. As a young officer new to the Regiment, Bryan advised and helped me avoid the pitfalls of Troop Leading on many occasions. Later as QM he got me out of a couple of tricky issues. Farewell Bryan, RIP and my thoughts are with your family.
Brian was our OC Huntsman when I was in SHQ on 2IC’s wagon, he was a great leader with a persona like no other. He was firm but fair and always looked out for his men. Loved coming into the Sqn bar for a drink with the lads. RIP Lt Col Brian the Lion.
As a young 17 yr old newbie, he scared the hell out of me. I remember getting sent to stores in Canada, and he sent me away to “re-shave” as it wasn’t good enough. So off I trot back to the hut and cut myself to ribbons, only to return to him and a couple of others pissing themselves laughing!! RIP Brian, see you in the Green Fields.
A fine Second Tanks man in every respect with a long and distinguished career. He was very good to a young and foolish 2Lt when he was RQ, and that 2Lt never forgot his advice or kindness – despite his fierce exterior!
Remember you well sir from my time in the Regiment May you RIP see you in the Tankys Tavern
One of the finest OCs I had the pleasure to serve under. A great cricket umpire and a very fair and d3cent man RIP Sir.