Godfrey Bryan

Brigadier Godfrey James Bryan (29 December 1902 – 24 March 1991) was an English army officer and cricketer. A left-handed batsman, he played first-class cricket between 1920 and 1935 for Kent County Cricket Club and the Army cricket team. His brothers Jack and Ronnie also played for Kent, though Godfrey was considered as "possibly the most talented" of the three.

Bryan rose to the rank of brigadier in the British Army, serving with the Royal Engineers. He served during World War II and was stationed in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency.

Early life Bryan was born in Beckenham in Kent, the son of Lindsay and Emily Bryan. His father was a solicitor. Bryan showed an early talent for cricket when playing at Wellington College. After making a string of centuries for the school XI he was referred to by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack as the public school batsman of the year who "did wonders in school matches" The academy was in Kent and Bryan became a regular member of the Kent county team during the 1921 season, playing nine County Championship matches as well as a match against the touring Australians. His top score of the year was 179 against Hampshire, adding 208 runs in only two hours with Lionel Hedges.

In 1922 Bryan made his first appearance for the Royal Engineers Cricket Club in the annual Sappers vs Gunners match against the Royal Artillery. In 1925 he played alongside both of his brothers for Kent against Lancashire, the only time all three played in the same team.

Military career After attending Royal Military Academy, Woolwich in 1921 and 1922, Bryan joined the Royal Engineers. In the early years of the 1930s he was stationed in the Far East, where he played cricket for the Straits Settlements, United Services and Malaya Command between 1930 and 1932. He was stationed again in Malaya during the late 1930s and played for Malaya and Straits Settlements.

He rose to the rank of Brigadier and was stationed in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency.

Family and later life Two of his brothers, Jack and Ronnie, also played first-class cricket for Kent. Bryan died at Canterbury in 1991 aged 88.