Oliver Bryson
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Oliver Bryson G.C. (18 August 1896 – 27 March 1977).
Bryson was educated at Bromsgrove School, and was 21 years old when he was awarded the George Cross.
It was reported in the London Gazette on 11 January 1918 that "The KING was pleased, at Buckingham Palace, on Wednesday, the 9th instant, to present to Captain Oliver Campbell Bryson, Flight Commander, Royal Flying Corps, the Albert Medal, which was awarded by His Majesty in recognition of his gallantry in endeavouring to save life in March last. The circumstances are as follows: —
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- On the 15th March, 1917, Captain (then Lieutenant) Bryson, with Second Lieutenant Hillebrandt as passenger, was piloting an aeroplane at Wye Aerodrome when, owing to a sideslip, the machine crashed to the ground and burst into flames. On disentangling himself from the burning wreckage Captain Bryson at once went back into the flames, dragged Lieutenant Hillebrandt from the machine, and notwithstanding his own injuries, which were undoubtedly aggravated by his gallant efforts to rescue his brother officer from the fire, endeavoured to extinguish the fire on Lieutenant Hillebrandt's clothing. Lieutenant Hillebrandt succumbed to his injuries a few; days later."
In 1971, the Albert Medal was discontinued (along with the Edward Medal) and all living recipients were invited to exchange the award for the George Cross. From the total of 64 eligible to exchange, 49 took up the option. The George Cross is the highest Commonwealth decoration awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry not in the face of the enemy and is second only to the Victoria Cross. It is the highest honour that can be awarded for non-operational gallantry or to anyone during peacetime.
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