Sergeant Bryngwyn Thomas Parry Royal Signals
The Man Bryngwyn Thomas Parry was born on 8th March 1918 at Crickhowel, Breckonshire, son of the Reverend Thomas Lewis Parry and Ann nee Evans. He was one of three children, Mary Jane, born on 5th November 1920 and Samuel David Gordon, later Lord Parry and Chairman of the Wales Tourist Board, 30th November 1925. His early life was spent near his Fathers Church, Molleston Baptist Church in Pembrokeshire. Bryngwyn joined the Territorial Army Royal Signals during the late 1930s with service number 2581644 and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was mobilised during World War II and served on the home front, marrying Mary Violet Barber during the fourth quarter of 1940 in Southampton, where he later lived. Following the War he was awarded the Defence, War Medal 1939-45 and Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’. In civilian life Bryngwyn was a Draughtsman working at Ordnance Survey and was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal 1977 as a Draughtsman Grade 3. He retired aged 60 in 1978 and awarded the Imperial Service Medal as Draughtsman Higher Grade, appearing in the London Gazette of 6th June 1978. Bryngwyn was a keen Scouter serving with the 12th Southampton group as Scoutmaster from 1st February 1957 until 7th December 1959 and then the 18th CB Southampton group as Group Scout Master from 7th December 1959 until 24th April 1963. He was then appointed as Acting Group Scout Leader in Southampton, and although carrying out the duties of GSL he did not hold a Warrant for the role. On 4th April 1973 was awarded the Scout Association Award for Merit, version 5B - given for outstanding service of not less than 12 years and 10 years exceptionally. Following his retirement Bryngwyn returned to Wales living with Mary at 4 Wood Lane, Honeyborough, Neyland, Dyfed. Mary died on 14th April 1991 and was cremated at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Pembrokeshire. Bryngwyn died just a year later on 1st May 1992 aged 74 and was also cremated at Parc Gwyn on 7th May, his ashes being interred in the Crematorium Gardens with Mary.
The Story The unusual combination of medals awarded to Bryngwyn Thomas Parry were acquired from the London Medal Company on a visit to the capital in February 2019. They had been observed on the site for a while and of interested simply because of the double long service awards and the uniqueness of the combination. It was also interesting to see a Scout Association Medal included in the set adding a different dimension to the awards. Despite his unusual name only basic biographical detail could be obtained from Ancestry.UK and was not helped by a misspelling of Bryngwyn (Brangwyn) in the London Gazette. An interesting fact also uncovered was the fact Bryngwyn’s younger brother, Samuel David Gordon Parry, was created Lord Parry by the Prime Minister Harold Wilson.
Obverse and reverse of Bryngwyn's Scout Association Award for Merit
Medal Details:
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Imperial Service Medal: BRYNGWYN THOMAS PARRY
- Silver Jubilee Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- Efficiency Medal: 42581644 SJT.B.T.PARRY. R.SIGS.
- Scout Association Award for Merit: B.T.PARRY 4.4.73
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This page last updated 8 Mar 19