Born 15 July, 1918 in Erieau, the son of Mr. Roy and Gertrude ‘Gertie’ (nee Hawley) Reynolds of 110 Inshes Ave., Chatham.  Bryce’s wife Mary Rose (nee Barton) and three small children [five, two and a daughter five months old in Feb. 1944] had been residing with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Charles Barton in Cedar Springs. The brother of Jack who was honourably discharged and Doug who was training with the RCAF in Dunnville. He also had a sister Laura Marie, later married Adan Brown.  Bryce attended school in Erieau before the family moved to Chatham. CDN 1/02/44  

Before enlisting Bryce was employed at the Bowman Anthony Co., he also worked for the railroad in Windsor, ON 

Bryce enlisted on 1 February 1943 in London ON., serving with the RCOC. He trained with this unit for three and a half months and was a skilled mechanic before going overseas in May, 1943. Once in England he transferred to the Perth Regt., going overseas with that unit, before going into action in Italy. CDN 1/02/44(P). 

Previous Military Experience… None

History After Enlistment… Bryce enlisted on 1 February 1943 in London ON., serving with the  Ordinance Corps,  (RCOC) and remained in Canada training with this unit for only three and a half months, and was a skilled mechanic before going overseas in May 1943.

The CDN 23/06/43(P) Sgt. Reynolds was reported to have arrived overseas. Sgt, Reynolds was a skilled mechanic in the Ordnance Corps. 

On his arrival in England he was transferred to the Perth Regiment and went in to action in Italy shortly afterwards.   CDN 1/02/44(P)   On January 7th he was reported as Missing out later was reported as taken prisoner, by the Germans in Italy.

Bryce’s wife and three small children had been residing with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Charles Barton in Cedar Springs when information on her husband’s whereabouts came.

Cpl. Reynolds was reported missing in action, 17 January, 1944 while serving in Italy. (information received from James Bryce Reynolds reported that Sgt. Reymolds was captured by German troops 17 January, 1944 while serving in Italy). 

Mrs. Reynolds received an information card from her husband, the card confirmed that he was indeed a POW in Germany and that he had been slightly wounded. It had previously been speculated that he was in a hospital “somewhere in an Allied country. Bryce had gone ‘missing in action’ while he was serving in Italy in January of 1944   BNT 12/04/44.

The CDN 22/02/44 reported Bryce was MIA. Bryce had been WIA before being taken as a POW.  Mrs. Reynolds received an information card from he husband, the card confirmed that he was indeed a POW in Germany and that he had been slightly wounded.

The CDN 10/04/44(P) reported that a POW-post card had arrived, written in German and translated before being sent to his wife, indicated that he was on route to a larger POW camp and when settle he would be able to write more.  It had previously been speculated that he was in a hospital “somewhere in an Allied country. BNT 12/04/44. This had only been speculation and the on his first post he reported he “is receiving the best of care”.  While in Germany prison it was reported he drove trucks between Switzerland and Germany carrying Red Cross food parcels for his comrades which Bryce confirmed when he arrived home. Another story told that he rebuilding blown down buildings in Germany and threw a brick at a guard. Luckily the guard didn’t shoot him. Taken as a POW in 1944 he was liberated 13 April. 1945 by American solders.  He then saw Friday the 13^th in a completely different light. CDN 16/06/45(P)

Once back in Canada with family Bryce started getting back to things he enjoyed before the war. The CDN 29/06/45 reported that he made an appearance with the I.O.O.F ball team in a match with the Goodison’s and he “cracked out two doubles in five trips to the plate.”

Date of Discharge… August, 1945

Reported living at 110 Inshes Ave., Chatham, ON, when he was discharged from military service in August, 1945.  After his discharge from the Army he became a Constable on the Chatham Police Force. 

Bryce passed away 12 January, 1963 and is buried in Victoria Memorial Cemetery in Windsor, ON.  

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

MVL (MSRB III(P)), CDN (21/08/45), CDN (12/11/63), IODE(P)

Age	born 1917
Birthplace	Blenheim, Ont.
Religion	Anglican
Marital Status	Married
When Enlisted	February 1943
Next of Kin	Mary Reynolds (Wife)

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