Fred Bryan
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Fred was the son of Sarah Ann White (nee Bryan) and John Henry Southerington. Sarah Ann Bryan was born in 1858 (A/M/J Newark) and married Robert White in 1881 (J/F/M Newark). They had one child, Robert Edward White b. 1881 (O/N/D Newark). John Henry Southerington was born in Coddington, Newark, in 1859 (A/M/J Newark). In 1881 he was working as a platelayer and living on Balderton Road, Coddington, with his parents Gibbon and Hannah. By 1891 John Henry, single, was working as a malster's labourer and recorded living on Main Road, Coddington; he was head of the household. Also in the home were Sarah White, married, and employed as a servant, amplified on the census as 'malster's housekeeper', Robert E White (9) described as 'servant's son', and Ernest White (4) and John H White (3) each of whose relationship to John Southergate was described as 'natural son'. Ernest was born in 1886 (O/N/D Newark) and John Henry in 1888 (J/F/M Newark) and both births were registered in the surname Southerington. Two more children were born to Sarah and John: George Edgar in 1891 (J/A/S Newark) and Fred in 1893 (J/F/M Newark). George's birth was registered in the surname Southerington but Fred's in the surname Bryan, Sarah's maiden name. By 1901 John (41) a malster, and Sarah (42) were living on Side Row, Newark. Sarah's son, Robert, appears to have left home, but Ernest (14), John (13), George (9) and Fred (7) were in the house on the night of the census. All the family used the surname Southerington. The family was living at 94 Beacon Hill ['Bottom Row'], Newark by 1911: John (51), a general labourer, Sarah (52) and Ernest (24), John (23), George (19) and Fred (17) whose occupations were also general labourer. John snr. completed the census as head of household and described all four boys as his sons, surnames Southerington, and declared that he and Sarah had been married for 25 years ie. about 1886, the year of Ernest's birth; no record has been found of their marriage. Also in the household on the night of the census was John's niece, Liley (sic) Wright (10, b. Newark). Fred, attested in 1914 using the surname Bryan. According to his service record he was still living at 94 Beacon Hill, Newark, and named his father, John Henry Southerington, of the same address as his next of kin. Fred's brother, Ernest, also enlisted in the surname Bryan and both boys' official records give their mother's name as Sarah Ann Bryan. Ernest died of wounds in France on 2 November 1917 leaving a widow and two sons (see 'extra information' and separate record on this ROH). John Henry Southerington died in 1923 (O/N/D Newark) and Sarah Ann in 1927 (J/F/M Newark); her death was registered in the surname Bryan.
Fred Bryan enlisted on 2nd September 1914 at Newark; he gave his age as 21 yrs and 10 months. He was a skilled labourer and lived at 94 Beacon Hill Road, Newark. He served with the 8th battalion Sherwood Foresters and landed in France on 2nd March 1915. He was last seen alive, but wounded, on 13th/14th October 1915 during an attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt. A Court of Enquiry was held on 5th January 1916 into his disappearance during which a witness stated he had seen Fred during the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt: '1956 (sic) Lce Cpl Sly G. 8th Battn. The Sherwood Foresters. ‘On the night of the 13/14 October 1915, during the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, I saw 2146 Pte Byron F. hit in the lower part of the leg. This was in between the (sic) ours and the German front line trench. He crawled into a shell hole. I asked him where he was hit, he said in the leg. I went on. It was about midnight.’ Signed L/Cpl Sly G 1967 (sic) 8th Sherwood Foresters.' (L/Cpl Sly probably survived the war.) The Court of Enquiry felt unable to confirm Private Bryan's death on the information available. However, on 15th October 1916 his death was accepted as being on 15th October 1915. Fred has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
His brother Ernest Bryan enlisted on 29th May 1916 at Newark. He served with the 2/6th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment and died on 2nd November 1917 at No. 7 General Hospital from wounds received in action. He is buried at Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother, Sarah A Bryan, was his sole legatee. The Pension Ledger also names his mother as his next of kin. There is a document in Fred's service record indicating that his personal property was to be returned to his mother, Sarah Ann Bryan, c/o GB Burke Esq., Solicitors, 2 Carter Gate, Newark on Trent. His mother's address was also given on the form; she was still living at 94 Beacon Hill, Newark. In 1919 GB Burke completed on behalf of Sarah Ann Bryan a form from the army which asked for the names of Fred's surviving blood relatives. His mother was named as his only surviving blood relative; she signed the form with her mark. 1922 England & Wales Electoral Register: Beacon Hill 45 Bottom Row: Bryan Daisy, James Hall [brother] 46 Bottom Row: Bryan Fanny 94 Bottom Row: Southerington John Henry, Southerington Sarah Ann 96 Bottom Row: Bryan George Edgar, Bryan Maud 102 Bottom Row: Bryan George Edgar-J, Bryan Mary Ann 112 Bottom Row: Bryan Herbert Article published 20th December 1916 in the Newark Advertiser:- 'Youngest son (of five) of Mrs Bryan, 94 Beacon Hill, Newark. Locally well-known footballer, playing at one time as outside half to Castle Rovers of which his brother Jack was sometime captain. Two gold & one silver medals were won by him. In 1912-3 he helped Wakes & Lambs’ to championship of Newark & District League and the Notts. Junior Cup. Employed by Messrs. Cafferata, but enlisted a fortnight after hostilities declared. Celebrated his 23rd birthday in the trenches, Aug. 1915 and home on leave in Sept. Had only returned to France a fortnight before being declared missing. Brother Ernest is at the front.'
