In 1917 Bryan left Egypt for the Western Front, serving in the Somme area where he suffered from pyrexia and was hospitalised for a time. He served on the front line in France and Belgium throughout 1917 and 1918. He was promoted to Lieutenant in August 1917 and acting Captain in March 1918 during the German Spring Offensive. He saw action during the Second Battle of the Somme in 1918 and was awarded the Military Cross for the way he led his machine guns at Miraumont in August 1918, although Bryan "played down the award". He saw action throughout the period until the end of the war and was appointed as a company commander during this period.