224520 2nd Lt. John Brian Cother Royal Artillery 72nd Field Regiment from:Hove, Sussex (d.8th May 1941) I grew up knowing my uncle Brian as a photo on our piano in the lounge of our modest bungalow in Mile Oak, Portslade, Sussex. We never spoke about Brian, specifically to my grandparents. I was born in 1944, just three years after Brian was killed and my grandparents were still grieving, I guess.
Brian had been the favoured child. He had attended Brighton Hove and Sussex Grammar School on a scholarship and gained high marks in the OTC, as a rifleman. He is on the school honour roll which is located in the great hall on the stained glass window.
I have many photos of Brian during his childhood with his elder brother (my father) and younger sister. My grandparents passed away some years ago and are buried at Stoke Trister Church, Bayford, Somerset.
Brian is buried in the Nicosia Cemetery, Cyprus, located in "No-man's land" and therefore, unfortunately, the family cannot visit his grave and place flowers. My elderly aunt would love to place a cross on the grave on Remembrance Sunday but she cannot travel far nowadays.
I am compiling my uncle's biography, from his birth, to school days, to military days... and death, aged 25 years.
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