Burly’s Navy Locker
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Cecil Burlington Bright
We all called him Burly or Burl
When I started this life site in 2000. I was so proud that my Uncle Burly became
frequent visitor and advisor . Like his son my cousin Alan he guided me on the
history and content . Burly was a self made man and those of us who knew him
will never forget him ! He had a pioneering spirit and an innovative scientific
mind.His story is interesting and exciting in many ways. This success he created
at Bright Instrument was also due to Alan his late son who also ran Bright’s for
many years until 2015 . The great sense of pride that comes from this success in
creating this company is inspiring in itself. You can see from his medals he was
like those he served with in the Merchant Navy . Brave and fearless keeping
Britain's supply lines open in her time of need. They really put themselves in
harm's way every single day! Without our Merchant Navy winning the War
would have been impossible
SS Strathallan
We remember our brave
Royal Navy and Merchant Navy
that fell in both World Wars
45,000 Royal Navy WW1
51,000 Royal Navy WW2
15,000 Merchant Navy WW1
30,248 Merchant Navy WW2
In World War 2
29180
Merchant Navy
ships were sunk
Burly’s
ship
the
SS
Strathallan
was
torpedoed
on
the
21st
of
December
1942
off
the
coast
of
Oran.
Sadly
twenty
one
souls
lost
their
lives
that
day!
The
ship
took
awhile
to
sink
and
did
so
the
next
day.
There
was
no
news
from
Burly
for
ages
and
my
grandmother
Gertrude
feared
the
worst!
About
two
weeks
later
Burly
turned
up
at
the
front
door
at
Park
Avenue,
Willesden
Green,
London.
Wearing
full
American
Navy
uniform!
He
had
been rescued by a U.S Navy destroyer
Burly's medals photographed by the late Alan Bright.
You can see Burly sailed around the World in WW2
WW2 Officers Cap badge
Lieutenant Burly Bright in his uniform
Burly learnt to fly in Mexico
Burly and Priscilla Bright
(nee Shenfield ) marry in 1946
Pricllia’s sister, Pricilla Bright ( nee Shenfield )
Burly Bright and Minnie Silver ( nee Bright )
The lovely Pricilla Bright was Burly’s wife & friend
On Brighton beach with Samuel Silver, Gloria Zadek (nee Silver ) Alan Bright,
Burly Bright & Morris Moss Bright
Visit these pages about the
SS Strathallan
(external website )
A rare photo of a historic moment . Burly and Morris at the start of Bright Instrument
a service company which specialised in repairing fridges. Burly had big ideas for the
business! He took it to the next level and by the 1960's it became a World leader in
medical cryogenic freezing for medical research. The first workshop was at Morden,
London
BRIGHT
Instrument Co Ltd
Originally opened in 1990 in Huntingdon, England. This factory no longer exists, but at the time it was state of the art
My parents Sam & Minnie Silver and my aunt and uncle Valerie & Jule Bright. Were
invited to the opening of the new factory. My mother Minnie was so proud of both her
brothers achievements
Burly & Minnie share the limelight on stage
Minnie stands at the entrance of the new factory
Burly explains the History of Bright Instrument to the Right Honourable Sir John Major KC CH.
Sir John was the UK Prime Minister 1990 - 1997
The original Bright Instrument Company produced state of the art. Medical
equipment for the slicing of micron thin human tissue. That is then frozen.
This tissue could then be examined by a Doctor or lab technician under an
electron microscope. The main component is called a microtome. This was
ground breaking technology has helped advance medicine.
Bright Instruments today is still a British company based in Luton. Although
not owned by the Bright family the company retains it’s marvellous heritage
and history from 1937 to the present day
My father Samuel Silver points to the new factory dedication
plaque 17th March 1990
Remembering the past
Priscilla & Gertrude
Burly & Gertrude
Going to a Remembrance Parade
Whitehall London
Gertrude, Burly & Priscilla
Alan , Priscilla and Burly at a function. 1970's
One of my favourite photos of all time . Taken by Sam at Park Avenue
North London in the 1970's . From the left Minnie, Priscilla, Burly,
Valerie and Jule. The jokes must have been great!
One of the last times my parents visited Burly .
Burly in middle of photo , Samuel & Minnie (far right) 1990’s
Alan & Heather Dennison Bright
Alan and Heather Dennison Bright daughters Clementine & Amelia
Alan Bright's horse gallops across the finish line. 2015
Alan Bright accepting his prize for his horse winning a race
Alan Bright was Managing Director of Bright Instrument for a many years as Burly’s health declined.
Alan eventually sold the company and I knew he was not well. Sadly in 2015 Alan passed away ! Just Like
Jule’s loss, Alan’s loss is something I never truly never got over. Alan and his father Burly were my
inspiration for this Life site in many ways. Just like Jule had created an incredible basis to work with.
For Alan it had become window into his past. Celebrating achievement, pride and love of family. Alan
often said he would get misty eyed looking at it. It has always been that way for me as too
Click to enlarge photos
