Charles Bryan
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Charles was the husband of Ada and father of Charles (Charley) and Lily. His wife Ada was born on 22 November 1897, the daughter of William and Mary Ann Hall. In 1911 she was living with her parents at 24 Golden Lane, Fisher Gate, Nottingham. Ada (23), who was single, and working as a 'foulder (sic) hand', had one child, Harry Morris Hall (3) b. 18 November 1907 (O/N/D Nottingham). Her parents had had 10 children of whom only five were still living, including her brother, Arthur James (19) who was also still living at home. Charles married Ada Hall in 1913 (J/F/M Nottingham); they had two children: Charles b. 9 August 1913 (J/A/S Nottingham) and Lily b. 7 April 1915 (A/M/J Nottingham). The Army pension record names Ada, and two children, Harry Morris Hall Bryan and Lily Bryan. It is likely that their son Charles had died at the age of six, death registered 1919 (J/F/M Nottingham). Ada's address was given on the pension record as Barker Gate, Nottingham. Ada married secondly Arthur Miller in 1924 (J/F/M Nottingham) but was widowed by 1939 when she was recorded on the England & Wales Register living with her widowed daughter Lily Warren at 56 Cremorne Street, Meadows, Nottingham. Lily had married Ernest Warren in 1934 (O/N/D Nottingham) who died in September 1936 (J/A/S Nottingham). Lily married Lawrence Riley in 1941 (J/F/M Nottingham). Ada died on 6 January 1951 (J/F/M Nottingham). Harry married Letitia Wright in 1931 (J/A/S Nottingham) and in 1939 they were living in Worcester. Harry was a meter reader and fixer and Letitia (b. 19 September 1909), was a shop assistant (glass and china). Harry died on 3 February 1994 (Feb Pershore Hereford & Worcester. According to the Probate record he was then living at 6 Tunnel Hill, Worcester.
Served in 1/5th Bn Sherwood Foresters. See also 'extra information' for earlier military career. Charles was either killed in action or died of wounds on 12 July 1918 and is buried in Fouquieres Churchyard Extension, Pas de Calais, France (grave ref. III.G.11).
St Mary memorial: 'Charles Bryan Sherwood Foresters' - identified from CWGC records as 265943 Charles Bryan 1/5th Sherwood Foresters. Only personal information 'age 33'. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His widow Ada was his sole legatee. Charles service record with the Sherwood Foresters has not survived. However, there is a record of a Charles Bryan aged 26 (b. abt. 1888) of 1 Selbourne Street, Pym Street, Nottingham, who attested on 24 August 1914 and was posted to 166 Bty. Royal Field Artillery (85075) on 7 September 1914. He was discharged on 22 October 1914 as he was deemed not likely to make an efficient soldier on medical grounds. The details on the record of his wife Ada and two sons Charley and Harry, the date of marriage and dates of birth of the children match those on the Pension ledger records for the Charles Bryan who served in the Sherwood Foresters. Although Charles had declared in 1914 that he had never served in the RN or Army, there is some evidence that he had attested in the King's Royal Rifle Corps (6989) on 24 April 1906 when he was already serving in the Notts Rifle Volunteers. He joined the Corps at Winchester on 25 April 1906 but was discharged ('free will') in May 1906. He then joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers (8934 Private) on a Short Service Engagement (7 years with the Colours, 5 years in Reserve), attesting on 11 September 1906 and declaring his previous service with the 2nd Notts Rifles Volunteers and the Royal Field Artillery. He joined at Ayr on 12 September 1906 and served in India from 7 January 1909-9 October 1910, South Africa from 10 October 1910-11 March 1912 and Home service on 12 March 1912. He was recorded on the Military Census of 1911 serving with the Royal Scots Fusiliers in South Africa. All his service from September 1906 towards limited engagement was forfeited on conviction of desertion. His limited engagement was then counted from 3 March 1911 but he was discharged for misconduct on 12 March 1912 and his service from 3 March 1911 was also forfeited. The earlier service records name his parents as his next of kin: Charles and Mary Jane Bryan who in 1911 were living at 10 Dakeyne Street, Carlton Road, Nottingham.
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