Robert George Frederick Bryant

A Sergeant with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Robert died on 28 February 1943 aged 21.

Robert was born at Lowestoft on 10 July 1921, a son of Frederick William and Louisa Annie Bryant. He was baptised at Christ Church, Lowestoft, on 27 July 1921, and his family lived at 26 Whapload Road. Robert’s father died and his mother remarried. In 1939 Robert and his family were living at 26 Whapload Road and Robert was a tugboat deck hand. 

Robert joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve after November 1940. By February 1943 he was a Sergeant serving with 90 Squadron, part of Bomber Command. Robert’s role was navigator/bomb aimer.

On 28 February 1943 Robert was a member of the crew of a Stirling 1 bomber, R9349 WP-U, that flew from Ridgwell, Essex, in a raid on St. Nazaire. About twelve miles south of Avranches the aircraft was him by flak and crashed into a field. Five of the crew, including Robert, were killed and two survived.