Private Norman Robert Cassels Bryce was born March 23, 1896, to parents James Adam Bryce and Katharine Bryce in Paisley, Scotland. The family was living in Vernon, British Columbia, at the time of his enlistment.

Conscripted in November 1917, Bryce enlisted with 1st Depot Battalion, British Columbia Regiment, in Vancouver, B.C. In August 1918 he was sent to England aboard HMT Atreus, where he joined the 1st Canadian Reserve Battalion. Bryce returned to Canada and was demobilized in September 1919.

Content notes:
The collection’s single letter was found together with a letter by Pte. Joseph Robert Norton in an abandoned house in Armstrong, B.C. The letter was written by Bryce from hospital in October 1918 during his recovery from influenza.
Note on name spelling: “Cassels” appears variously throughout Bryce’s service record also as “Casells” and “Cassells.”

External links:
Pte. Bryce’s service record (Serv/Reg# 2023379) can be viewed/downloaded in pdf format through Library and Archives Canada.