Identity
Title
Forenames
Thomas Barry AWMM
Surname
Brierley AWMM
Ingoa
Also known as
Barry AWMM
Service number
WWII NZ417009 AWMM
Gender
Iwi
Hapū
Waka
Rohe
Religion
Civilian life
Birth
Date of birth
Place of birth
Birth notes
Address before enlistment
Post war occupation
Next of kin on embarkation
WW2 Roland Brierley (father), 1A Apuka Street, Brooklyn, Wellington, New Zealand AWMM
Relationship status
Service
Capture details
Days interned
Liberation date
Liberation Repatriation
POW liberation details
POW serial number
Biographical information
- Eldest son of Roland and Rene Brierley. Brother of Lee.
Known as Barry. Next of kin details compiled from information in the Casualty lists published in the newspapers. AWMM - Served 190 Squadron RAF.
Killed in action on the first day of the Battle for Arnhem - Netherlands - during 'Operation Market Garden' - the attempted allied invasion of the Netherlands.
2nd Pilot of Stirling Bomber Mark IV L982.
Leading the squadron formation Stirling L982 had towed a glider of the British 1st Airborne to the drop zone over Arnhem, and after dropping supplies was turning away to climb when it was attacked by German fighters.
The Stirling Bomber was shot down and all crew aboard were killed - including 2nd Pilot Warrant Officer Thomas (known as Barry) Brierley of Wellington, New Zealand. Also killed was fellow New Zealander Warrant officer Donald M. Mathewson RNZAF 421331.
The wife of the pilot later wrote to Mathewson's widow in New Zealand and said
“I actually met two airborne men who were taken prisoners at the bridge and watched our Stirling come in, leading. They said it was the bravest thing they ever saw in the war”. Public - Jenifer - Researcher - 23 September 2019 - Reference : www.aircrewremembered.com and RNZAF Museum. - Words of Sergeant Jock Walker - of the British Army Film & Photographic Unit - who was on the ground at Arnhem September 1944 :
"The RAF supply planes and their dispatchers (on board personnel who threw supply canisters from the aircraft to the forces on the ground below) were giants amongst brave men; whenever they came over with supplies (which unfortunately usually fell to the enemy) all the fury of the enemy (German) was directed against them (RAF aircraft) - but steadfastly they flew straight and level through the most fearful 'flak' (anti aircraft fire) - the (aircraft) dispatchers at the (aircraft) doors chucking out the containers - even when repeatedly hit and set on fire; flying on, blazing torches in the sky, until they eventually crashed in flames. What devotion to duty and so sorrowful to watch. There was not a man on the ground that was not moved by this display of courage - and in the main with no benefit to us". Public - Jenifer - Researcher - 7 October 2019 - Reference : www.aircrewremembered.com (England). Profile of RAF 190 Squadron Stirling IV LJ982 L9-N - of which 2nd Pilot Thomas (Barry) Brierley, of Wellington, New Zealand was a member of the air crew.
Roll of Honour
Remember Thomas Barry Brierley by laying a poppy.
Leave a note
Leave a tribute or memory of
Thomas Barry Brierley
Processing
-
On saturday 14 September 2019 I will run the Airborne Freedom Trailin Arnhem, the Netherlands. Commemorating 75 Years Liberation of the Netherlands. I will lay my remembrance cross with poppy on the grave of Thomas Barry Brieley and Donald Meldrum Mathewson in honour of these heroes. New Zealand has a special place in our hearts.
Public - Gaston - 14 September 2019
Sources
External links
Documents
- The Evening Post AWMM
- Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press. AWMM
- The Evening Post AWMM
- This record is a work in progress and was partially compiled from the “Database of New Zealand Airmen who took part in Advanced Air Training in Canada during WW2”. Researched by Ivan and Lorna Lindsey of Tauranga. N.Z. 2003 – 2012. Reproduced with permission. AWMM
The development of the Online Cenotaph is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.