Showing posts with label Bloemfontein. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bloemfontein. Show all posts

Saturday, 25 April 2026

Leon Bryer (1919 - 1994)

Leon Bryer is a nephew of Rachel Levin, my 2x great aunt. Morris family HERE. Bryer family HERE

Parents: Barnett  Bryer (1878 - 1958) and Dinah Rachel Morris (1879 - 1969)

Tombstone for Leon's mother Dinah who is buried 
in the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg, grave block M, grave no 358. His father Barnett is buried in the Bloemfontein memorial cemetery, plot no 10:601

Born: 25 March 1919 in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Hebrew name: Leib son of Baruch

Siblings
  • Michael Bryer (1904 - 1933) married Anne Smulian (1897 - ?) in April 1927 in London, England
  • Nathan Bryer (1908 - 1990) married Rose Frankel (1908 - 1984) on 31 December 1933 in Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Maurice Bryer (1911 - 1986) married 1) Phyllis Salkinder (1915 - 1973) around 1945/6 probably in Bloemfontein, South Africa; 2) Dorothy Kollenberg (1918 - 2010) on 11 January 1951 in Bulawayo, Rhodesia

Occupation: Medical practitioner

Leon was registered as a doctor in December 1941

The Bryer family in 1922. Back row Maurice (age 11) and his mother Dinah. Front, Barney and their children Leon (age 3) and Nathan (seated) (age 12)

Leon in army uniform

Travel
1952
Leon departing Southampton aboard the Edinburgh Castle on 4 December 1952 bound for Cape Town. His address in England is given as Crumpsall Hospital, Manchester

1956
Leon departing from Durbam South Africa and travelling to Southampton, England where he arrived on 28 December 1956 aboard the Athlone Castle

1959
Leon departing Southampton aboard the Pretoria Castle on 6 August 1959 bound for Cape Town. His address in England is given as the Orthopaedic Hospital and his occupation is listed as surgeon

Notes
Leon served in World War 2. He lived in Johannesburg from 1952 onwards, mainly in Hillbrow and worked at the Johannesburg General Hospital as an orthopaedic surgeon. But his main work place was the at the Crowns Mines hospital. He had a lifelong partner, Nancy, a theatre sister who was the widow of his best friend. They never married (Information supplied by his niece Lee)

Death
3 January 1994 (20 Tevet 5754) age 74 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was buried in the Westpark Cemetery there on 4 January 1994, Grave block VE, no 220

Tombstone
"Leon Bryer 25 March 1919 - 3 Jan 1994. Lovingly remembered by his family and friends. Rest in Peace"

Hebrew translation: "Here lies Leib son of Baruch, departed 20 Tevet 5754. May his soul be bound up in the bond of life."

Jewishgen cemetery record for Leon Bryer

Westpark cemetery record for Leon 

Residences

When Leon qualified as a doctor in December 1941 his address was given as 15 Waverley Road, Bloemfontein, South Africa

By August 1946 he had moved to Johannesburg, where his address was given as 101 Roxdale, Houghton, Johannesburg, South Africa

Thursday, 9 April 2026

Maurice Bryer (1911 - 1986)

Maurice Bryer is a nephew of Rachel Levin, my 2x great aunt. Morris family HERE. Bryer family HERE

Parents: Barnett  Bryer (1878 - 1958) and Dinah Rachel Morris (1879 - 1969)

Tombstone for Maurice's mother Dinah who is buried 
in the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg, grave block M, grave no 358. His father Barnett is buried in the Bloemfontein memorial cemetery, plot no 10:601

Born: 11 April 1911 in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Hebrew name: Moshe son of Baruch

Siblings

The Bryer family in 1922. Back row Maurice (age 11) and his mother Dinah. Front, Barney and their children Leon (age 3) and Nathan (seated) (age 12)

Occupation: Engineer and company director

Married:
1: Phyllis Salkinder (1915 - 1973) probably in Bloemfontein  around 1945/6

Engagement of Maurice and Phyllis in Hashomer, June 1945, p. 7

2: Dorothy Kollenberg, known as Doris, on 31 January 1951 in Bulawayo, Rhodesia. Maurice was 39 and Doris 32

Maurice and Doris on their wedding day

Children
  • Lesley 1952 -
  • Beverly Bryer 1954 -

Military
In World War 2 Maurice served in the South African air force, rising to the rank of Captain. Here he is in 1941 as a light aircraft mechanic and his service number is 24963

Maurice in the air force

Biography

BRYER, Maurice. B.Sc. Civil Engineering. Director of Company. Born Bloemfontein, 11th April, 1911, son of Barnett and Dinah Bryer. Educated Brebner School, Grey College School, Witwatersrand University. Joint Managing Director, Vulcan Trading Co. (Pvt) Ltd. Bulawayo. Previously employed by Spilkin & Newfield, co-partner Germiston Linen & Furniture Co. Member Bulawayo Hebrew Congregation, Byo Chevra Kadisha, Member Savyon Lodge Old Aged Home, Member Our Parents Home, Johannesburg. Served in World War II S.A.A.F obtained rank of Captain. Married Dorothy Kollenberg 11th January, 1951. Two daughters. Member Glendower Golf Club, Transvaal Automobile Club, Wanderers Club Bulawayo Golf Club. Recreations: Golf, Swimming. Add: 4 Bevan Avenue, Kumalo, Bulawayo. P.O. Box 1757 Bulawayo. (South African Jewry 1976/7)

Death
30 April 1986 (21 Nissan 5746) age 75 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was buried in the Westpark Cemetery there on 2 May 1986, Grave block V, no 2049

Tombstone
"Maurice Bryer 11th April 1911 - 30th April 1986. Lovingly remembered by his wife, children and grandchildren. Rest in Peace"

Jewishgen cemetery record for Maurice Bryer

Westpark cemetery record for Maurice 

Residence

In 1976 the family were living at 4 Bevan Avenue, Kumalo, Bulawayo, Rhodesia