 |
Corporal Sarah Bryant,
Intelligence Corps
|
Corporal Sarah Bryant of the Intelligence Corps was a member of 15
(United Kingdom) Psychological Operations Group based in Chicksands,
Bedfordshire. She deployed to Afghanistan on 15 March 2008 with 152 DELTA
Psychological Operations Effects Team in support of the Helmand Task Force
within the PSE, serving with the Headquarters of 16 Air Assault Brigade as
the Target Audience Analyst.
Corporal Sarah Bryant was born on 17 December 1981 in Liverpool and joined
the Army on 21 January 2002 as a member of the Intelligence Corps. On
completion of training, she was appointed to 11 MI Sect in Herford
Germany, and later served on operations in Iraq. She was married to Carl,
also a soldier in the Intelligence Corps, upon whom she doted.
Utterly professional, Sarah was tenacious and reliable. She was an
excellent operator able to turn her hand to any task. Highly competent
at both combat Intelligence and Security, she was at ease with her peers
and officers alike and was held in high regard. Her professionalism,
exceptional trade knowledge and confidence ensured effective liaison
with other units, especially on security inspections and investigations.
Everyone she encountered noted her as a friendly, reliable and
professional soldier. She had been marked out for potential
commissioning but indicated that she wanted to go through the ranks. Her
clear potential was highlighted by the fact that she had been
pre-selected for promotion to Sergeant on her first look. This is
testament to her determination and dedication to the Intelligence Corps,
and to life in general.
Sarah's husband, Cpl Carl Bryant, said:
"Although I am devastated beyond words at the death of my
beautiful wife Sarah, I am so incredibly proud of her. She was an
awesome soldier who died doing the job that she loved. My wife knew
the risks, she was there because she wanted to be, and she wouldn't
have had it any other way. She was funny, kind and the most amazing
person to be around, I will never stop being thankful for the time I
spent as her husband. I love her now and always, with all my heart, as
do her proud parents, friends and family. My wife was a truly special
person who died a hero. Sarah, as with all our fallen, must never be
forgotten."
Following the news of her death, her Commanding Officer, Lieutenant
Colonel Jim Suggit, said:
"Sarah had the brightest future ahead of her, both in her
career - where she had been pre-selected for promotion - and her
personal life. She was a beautiful young woman and also an utterly
professional, extremely adept PSYOPS operator, who was highly regarded
by all who knew her. She had previously served in Iraq and had
prepared fully for her Afghan task, both physically and mentally. She
had courage, passion and flair for the role she was undertaking,
engaging with the people of Helmand Province and trying to give them
hope and confidence that they might eventually enjoy peace, progress
and prosperity.
"I will miss her delightful charm, her sharp mind, her gentle
humour, our close comradeship and seeing her take the many wonderful
opportunities life would have presented. We mourn her, we salute her
and we will remember the sparkle she brought to us all. She will live
eternally in our thoughts and be ever named in our prayers."
Officer Commanding the PSE, Lieutenant Commander Shamus MacLean,
Royal Navy, said;
"Today while on operations in Helmand outside Lashkar Gah Cpl
Sarah Bryant was killed when the vehicle she was travelling in was
involved in an explosion that tragically also took the lives of three
of her comrades. Having been on operations in Afghanistan for the past
three months, she had already experienced operating on the ground
several times in this unforgiving environment, proving herself more
than equal to her male colleagues on many occasions. Cpl Bryant was a
dedicated soldier who never ceased to push herself in pursuit of her
objectives and was courageous in the face of adversity. Her courage is
testament to the work that we are conducting here in Afghanistan. Ours
is a difficult task and as part of the larger task force we are clear
in our own minds what must be done. Today has been a hard day which
has shaken us all but this too will pass. We will strive to continue
the work already done to ensure that Sarah's sacrifice is not in vain.
PSYOPS is a small, close-knit family and Sarah was very much part of
that. She will be sorely missed. The most difficult burden is for
those she left behind; words cannot describe what they must be
feeling. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time."
Second-in-Command PSE, Flt Lt Jim Hollingworth, said:
"Sarah was the life and soul of the PSE. An individual with so
much potential, she was incredibly ambitious and she had high hopes
for the future. The smile on her face never faded and she was renowned
for her networking ability. She was an unforgettable colleague who
will be sorely missed."
Sergeant Major PSE, WO2 Richie Walters, said:
"Cpl Bryant was an exceptional soldier. Her work as a Target
Audience Analyst was faultless and her soldiering skills were second
to none. Sarah's zest for life, exuberance and smiles will be greatly
missed."
Friend and colleague, Sgt 'Pucky' Pucky said:
"During the short time I knew Sarah, I worked closely with her
as our disciplines dictated we should. I was quickly aware that she
was a diligent, hard working NCO with a can-do attitude and versatile
nature to go with her intelligence. She had a relaxed attitude that
belied her hard working nature and was always around with a ready
smile and cheery conversation, any who met her warmed to so quickly.
She will be sorely missed by friends and colleagues alike and our
thoughts go to her husband and family."
Friend and colleague, Cpl 'OB' O'Brien said:
"Sarah and I had only worked together for a short time but
quickly became friends. She was the life and soul of the office always
ready with a smile. She will be sorely missed by those who knew her, a
special person who touched everyone she met. Our thoughts and
condolences go out to her family and friends."
Back in the UK, Staff Sergeant Nick Wildman said:
"I have known Sarah for about ten months since she arrived at
15 (UK) Psychological Operations Group with a smile on her face, and I
don't remember not seeing her smiling since then. Everyone who met
Sarah seemed to take an instant shine to her. We have numerous mutual
friends, colleagues and acquaintances from previous jobs and postings,
all of whom spoke highly of her.
"Sarah had a happy, easy-going manner and never seemed to get
flustered or exceptionally angry with anything or anyone -
'Laissez-faire' - I was so rightly informed by her husband. Sarah was
calm, feminine and petite; this did not stop her being an all round,
determined soldier.
"Sarah did not avoid hard work, she did not back out of the
physical and always tried her best. Sarah was articulate, intelligent
and very sociable. Sarah was a fine Intelligence Corps Operator and a
strong purposeful soldier with a massive future ahead. We will miss
her."
Cpl T Edwards said:
"It has been my honour to serve with Cpl Sarah Bryant in 15
(UK) Psychological Operations Group for just under a year. Sarah was a
popular and well-regarded colleague who was professional, pragmatic
and conscientious in both her bearing and performance. Sarah was a
passionate soldier who loved the Army and was proud to be Intelligence
Corps. Always ready with a smile and a friendly word regardless of the
situation, even those who met her briefly were left with the
impression that they had been talking to an old friend. Sarah's
positive outlook and passion for her job could not but be admired.
However, no one could doubt her devotion to her husband, family and
'baby', Labrador 'Tyson'. Sarah was a credit to her family and an
example for others within the Corps. We have lost a treasured friend
and colleague, our grief at her loss will not heal quickly, nor would
we want it to."
|