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WWII Airman's Portrait Found Decades Later
8 Nov
Summary
- Man discovered his uncles' WWII fates via online records.
- A lost portrait of his uncle was found through Facebook.
- He aims to honor his relatives as people, not statistics.
Chris Bryan-Smith, from Oswestry, Shropshire, has uncovered the tragic World War Two fates of his twin uncles, Anthony and Martin Bryan-Smith, who both served with RAF Bomber Command. Initially, he knew little beyond their deaths, as his family found the losses too painful to discuss. This changed with advancements in online databases, allowing him to trace their wartime records.
He discovered that Anthony died in 1940 when his Hampden aircraft crashed during a mine-laying mission. Martin's Lancaster bomber was shot down on D-Day in 1944. Further research revealed a detailed crew account of Martin's final mission, offering a poignant glimpse into the events. In 2008, a historian in France located the wreckage of Martin's Lancaster, identified by engine markings and a navigator's ring.
Bryan-Smith shared his discoveries online, including on Facebook this past summer. This post led to contact with Johnny Clifford, a curator at the Bomber Command Pathfinder Collection at RAF Wyton. Clifford had recently acquired a painting of an unknown airman wearing the Pathfinder Eagle and recognized him as Martin Bryan-Smith from the shared photographs.
The discovery of the portrait has deeply moved Bryan-Smith, who now wishes to remember his uncles as individuals. He plans to use the D-Day commemorations in 2024 to share their story, ensuring their sacrifices are honored and their humanity is remembered.
