Donald Forryan
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Donald Forryan was born in 1887 in Ryston, Leicester and was the son of John George a factory manager (John Player factory) and Elizabeth Forryan née Cartwright they lived at 33 Noel Street, Hyson Green, Nottingham. His father was born in 1850 in Wigston, Leicester and his mother Elizabeth Cartwright was born in 1854 in Broughton Astley, Leicester, they were married in 1875 in Lutterwoth, Leicester, they went on to have 9 children , sadly one of which died in infancy, their surviving children were all born in Wigston and were Mabel b1877, William b1878, Letitia b1881, Annie b1882, Donald b1887, Cyril Godwin b1890, John Owen b1891 In 1911 census Donald Forryan 24 yrs a tobacco manufactures foreman was boarding at Edmondsham House, Upper Terrace Road, Bournemouth.
Second Lieutenant Donald Forryan initially served with the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry then King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry as 2nd Lieut (T) (Medal Roll). 121 men of the 9th Bn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry died on 16 September 1916. His name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. Medal Roll records correspondence dated 7/11/1921 in which Mrs JG Forryan. 33 Noel Street, Nottingham, applied for her late son’s medals (Victory and British War medals).
Article published 21st December 1916 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “LIEUT. D. FORRYAN.“Missing since September 16th, Second-Lieut. Donald Forryan is now reported killed in action on the Somme on that date. He was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Forryan, of 33, Noel-street, Nottingham, and was gazetted to the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, but attached to the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry on arrival in France. He was for 15 years with Messrs. John Player and Sons.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918Two of his brothers also served and died in the Great War , John Owen was a Corporal and served with the 9th battalion Royal Sussex Regiment , he was killed in action on 4th November 1918.William Cartwright a Private in the Royal Engineers was killed in action at Arras on 5th October 1917.Nottingham Evening Post obituary (abridged) 21 December 1916: FORRYAN killed in action on September 1st, Donald Forryan, Second Lieutenant, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (attached KOYLI), age 30, son of Mr and Mrs JG Forryan, 23 Noel Street, Nottingham.History of 9th Bn KOYLI: ‘From Pontefract to Picardy’, Derek Clayton.
