Ronald Bryan

Ronald Thurston Bryan (30 July 1898 – 27 July 1970) was an English amateur cricketer and soldier who played first-class cricket for Kent County Cricket Club. He captained Kent for three months in 1937 and served in both World War I and World War II. He worked professionally for Lloyds Bank.

Early life Bryan was born in Beckenham in Kent, the second son of Lindsay and Emily Bryan. His father was a solicitor. Bryan attended St Andrews' Preparatory School in Eastbourne before following his brother Jack on to Rugby School. He was in the Cricket XI from 1913 to 1915, initially as a bowler.

Military service At the outbreak of World War I Bryan was still at school and was too young to enlist. In 1915, aged 17, he joined the Territorial Force, being awarded a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion, the Manchester Regiment, the same battalion his brother Jack was serving in and the brother's father had been a Lieutenant-colonel in. He was initially posted to a Provisional Battalion as he was too young to serve overseas. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1917 and, in January 1918, posted to the main complement of the battalion, now old enough to serve on the front line.

After being stood down from the Army in early 1921 Bryan joined Lloyds Bank and was only able to play cricket during his annual holiday. He made six appearances for Kent in each of 1923 and 1924, two in 1925 and one in 1928 as well as playing for the Club Cricket Conference a number of times, including against touring New Zealand, West Indies and South African national teams.

In 1937 Bryan took three months leave from work and was appointed joint captain of Kent alongside Bryan Valentine. He played 20 matches for Kent during the season, having not played first-class cricket since 1928 as Kent tried to replace Percy Chapman as captain. He died in Pevensey Bay in Sussex in 1970 aged 71.