GRACE UNITED CHURCH
Edward Dale Brydon
Name: Edward Dale Brydon
Born: May 15, 1924 in Brampton, Ontario
Died: April 26, 1945
Family:
Son of Dr. William Brydon and Ethel Dale, both of Brampton
​
Service Number: J44042
Age: 20
Force: Royal Canadian Air Force
Unit: 438 Sqn
Cemetery: Hamburg Cemetery, Ohlsdorf
Grave Reference: Plot X, Row E, 12.
Edward Dale Brydon was born on May 15, 1924 in Brampton to Dr. William Hall Brydon and Ethel Dale. He was familiarly called “Ted” and was a favorite in Brampton, especially in sports generally. He was an expert in gym work and for a time was noted for his skill on the rugby team at the Brampton high school. He was also a regular attendant of Grace United Church.
He attended public and high schools in Brampton and when leaving school, he enlisted into the Royal Canadian Air Force in February 1943. Ted received training in Oshawa, Baggotville, Quebec and Camp Borden. He sailed aboard the Cunard Mauritania on November 25, 1944. He flew 18 missions with the 438 Squadron.
His father received message from the RCAF casualties officer informing him that Ted was the sole occupant of a Hawker Typhoon Ib, Serial number: RB429 F3-X aircraft which took off to carry out a bombing operation on a railway eight miles northeast of Hamburg, Germany on April 26. While carrying out a low level straffing attack, his aircraft hit a tree. A piece of the aircraft was was seen to come off and it crashed 10 miles north west of Lubeck, Germany at 7:40 a.m. and Ted is believed to have lost his life at that time.
A notice in the Toronto Star from December 22, 1945 shows Brydon as Previously Missing, Now Killed in Active Service.
​
The Ontario Registration of Death shows his permanent address at the time of his death was 249 Main Street, Brampton. His cause of death was an accident when he was killed during air operations.
The Luftwaffe buried Edward Brydon in Gnissau. The grave was marked with a cross bearing the words, "Here lies an unknown English pilot. He died in action on 26.4.45". In the summer of 1947 his remains were exhumed and reburied at the Hamburg Cemetery, Hamburg, Germany.