Iris Hamilton Bryan (April 10, 1907 – March 18, 2001) was a skilled equestrian, a competitive rider, and a member of the Woodbrook Hunt Club. She also served as Captain in the Women’s Emergency Motor Corps in Tacoma during WWII. Her photo albums offer a fascinating glimpse into her life and times, capturing her dual roles as rider, captain, as well as personal photographs of friends, family, and vacations.
Iris' father, Thomas Hamilton Bryan (1872–1954), served as superintendent of Chester Thorne’s Thornewood estate from about 1915 until his retirement in 1940. In the mid‑1920s, Thorne, Bryan, and others organized the Woodbrook Hunt Club to promote traditional foxhunting, using trained hounds to follow a scent trail across fields and fences. Fort Lewis granted permission for the hunts. Iris Bryan was a charter member of the Woodbrook Hunt Club, served as huntsman under her father, was elected President from 1941-1944, and later was designated Master of Foxhounds from 1947-1951. The Club sponsored local and regional horse shows in which she competed and served as judge. Woodbrook Hunt Club continues to offer field hunting and educational programs and marks its centennial in 2026.
By 1941, Iris Bryan served as a Captain in the Women’s Emergency Motor Corps, a position she held until December 1945. The Women’s Emergency Motor Corps was organized during WWII as a facet of the movement for Home Defense, seen as a way for people to prepare for possible emergencies on the home front related to the war effort. Its members were volunteers, most of whom held day jobs, including Iris Bryan, who worked for Weyerhaeuser as a stenographer. Trainings were held in the evenings and on weekends. The Tacoma Armory made an initial home for training there, and the Woodbrook Hunt Club served as a center for assembling. Fort Lewis reservation granted a portion to be used as field headquarters.
The women learned the basics of auto mechanics, first aid, and could choose to learn morse code, semaphore, map-reading, and the use of walkie talkies. By 1942, the membership had grown and fund-raising efforts were directed toward acquiring mobile units. Funds were raised through rummage sales and skating parties, and a carnival was held at the WEMC’s new headquarters at 803 1/2 S 38th St, the Horsfall building. An ambulance and canteen trailer were purchased with the proceeds. Later the Corps moved nearby to 3730 S G St, where members were assigned duties such as providing first aid at the scrap metal pile, canteen duty for the Red Cross, and driving in evenings for the USO. In 1944, the WEMC took over the duties and responsibilities of the Ambulance Corps of the Civilian Defense medical division. They also staffed and helped raise funds for the canteen at Union Station which distributed free coffee, doughnuts and sandwiches to service personnel, serving over 230,000 from December 1944 through 1945.
After the war, Iris continued her involvement with the Woodbrook Hunt Club, organizing hunts and participating in as well as judging horse shows. She founded the Woodbrook Hunt Pony Club, a chapter of the national organization that served girls and boys under 21, and she was on its instructing committee. Iris Bryan passed away at her home in Steilacoom, March 18, 2001. We invite you to explore the images in these albums that document Iris' experiences in her various roles in Tacoma and the South Sound.
If you are interested in learning more about Iris Bryan, Woodbrook Hunt Club, or the Women’s Emergency Motor Corps, reach out or visit the Northwest Room.
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