Dad's TV challenge in soldier son's memory

A father whose son was killed in Afghanistan has told how his time on a Special Forces TV show has been a positive way of coming to terms with his loss.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Oct 2016, 17:30 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:05 BST

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Far right: Efrem Brynin on the TV show. SAS: Who Dares Wins continues Monday 9pm on Channel 4.Far right: Efrem Brynin on the TV show. SAS: Who Dares Wins continues Monday 9pm on Channel 4.
Far right: Efrem Brynin on the TV show. SAS: Who Dares Wins continues Monday 9pm on Channel 4.

Efrem Brynin entered Channel 4 show SAS: Who Dares Wins in memory of his son, Lance Corporal James Brynin, who was killed in a friendly-fire incident while fighting the Taliban in October, 2013.

Mr Brynin was seen leaving the series in Monday’s show following a gruelling exercise known as ‘the sickener’.

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Speaking before the episode aired, he said the SAS selection-style tasks had helped him understand some of what his son, a former Steyning Grammar pupil, experienced as a soldier.

Lance Corporal James Brynin of the Intelligence Corps was killed in action in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Tuesday ENGSUS00320131017090808Lance Corporal James Brynin of the Intelligence Corps was killed in action in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Tuesday ENGSUS00320131017090808
Lance Corporal James Brynin of the Intelligence Corps was killed in action in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Tuesday ENGSUS00320131017090808

Mr Brynin said: “For me, one of the reasons to go on there, as a result of what’s happened to me and James, was I think to get a little bit closer to his emotion and what he went through in his work.

“He never let his personal and professional life intertwine.”

Mr Brynin added being in the show had proved to be a cathartic experience.

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He said: “It’s a positive part that’s come out of James, which was obviously a devastating thing, and we’ve obviously had to keep going and take the positives down the road.”

Lance Corporal Brynin served on two tours in Afghanistan and was posthumously honoured with a Mention in Dispatches for his courage.

An inquest into his death has been opened and adjourned.

SAS: Who Dares Wins continues Monday 9pm on Channel 4.

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Related topics:AfghanistanChannel 4Taliban