James McBryde was killed in action at Ypres on September 13th, 1916. He was 31 years of age. In 1916 he joined the Australian Engineers as a sapper, but later on obtained a commission in one of the Field Companies.
He received his technical training at Sydney University, taking a four years’ course in mining and metallurgy; and in 1908 he obtained the degree of B.Eng., with honours, and with distinctions in mining and assaying. He then spent a year at the Harden Gold Mine, New South Wales, working underground at stoping and timbering, and devoting the latter part of his time to metallurgical work in the battery and cyanide departments. After short periods of service as assayer to the Lobbs Hole Copper Mine, and as timberman and assistant surveyor to the Great Cobar Copper Mine, he returned to the Harden Gold Mine in the capacity of metallurgist, and from
June, 1911, to February, 1913, had charge of the battery and cyanide plant and general surface work; He held an appointment as surveyor to the Cocks Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines, at Eldorado, Victoria, until about a year after the outbreak of war, when he resigned his post and joined the Australian Expeditionary Forces.
Mr. McBryde was elected an Associate of the Institution in 1914.
Vol. 26, Trans IMM 1916-17, pp.267-68
