George Ernest Bryan
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George Ernest Bryan was born in 1889 at Rolleston and was the son of Charles a plate layer and Mary Bryan née Birch of Rolleston His father Charles was born in 1857 at Loddington, Leicestershire and his mother Mary Hannah Birch was born in 1858 at Upton. They were married in 1879 (Southwell Registration District). They went on to have 11 children, sadly three were to die in infancy or early childhood. Their children were: Lionel Birch b1880 in Tugby, Leicestershire, and Ethel Kate b1885, George Ernest b1889, Herbert b1890, Charles Henry b1895, Margaret Amelia b1896 and Elsie Mary b1899 who were all born at Rolleston. In the 1911 census the family was living in the village of Rolleston and shown as Charles 54 yrs a plate layer, his wife Mary Hannah 53 yrs and their children, Herbert 21 yrs a cowman on a farm, Margaret 15 yrs a trainee dress maker and Elsie Mary 12 yrs a scholar. In the 1911 census George Ernest was shown as being 22 yrs and a brewery carter and living at 12 Albert Street, Newark, with his married sister Ethel Kate Sharp 25 yrs, her husband John Frederick Sharp 24 yrs an iron moulder and their son Dennis William Sharp 2 yrs. George married Emily Franks in 1913 (Southwell Registration District). They had a son Jack born in 1917 at Newark. His widow Emily married Harry Tyers in 1919 and they lived at Havelands Farm, East Hardwick, Pontefract.
Private George Ernest Bryan initially enlisted at Newark on 1st November 1911 in the Territorial Force. He was 22 yrs and 9 months old, a carter and living at 12 Albert Street, Newark. He served with the 8th battalion Sherwood Foresters and completed initial training and attended two annual camps in 1912/1913. On the outbreak of war he volunteered for embodied service on 5th August 1914. However, within a month it was discovered that he was medically unfit for war service and was discharged on 18th September 1914. Nevertheless, he was conscripted in October 1917 subsequently served with the 2nd battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. According to a report of his death in a local newspaper, George had only been in France a few months before he died of wounds on 18th April 1918. He was buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (grave ref. X.A.23, double burial).
His brother Private Charles Henry Bryan enlisted at Newark, home address Rolleston. He served with the 1/8th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment and died of wounds on 15th March 1917. He was buried at Foncquevillers Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Article published 11th May 1918 in the Newark Herald:- 'Second son of Charles & Mary Bryan of Rolleston. Resided with wife, Emily, at 9 Albert Street, Newark. As a boy, employed on farm work at Rolleston and prior to his being called up was assistant drayman and motorist at Messrs. James Hole & Co. He was in 8th Sherwood Foresters when war broke out, but discharged on medical grounds. Called-up again on Oct. 8th, 1917 to the Lincolns. Had only been at the front two months when fatally wounded on April 16th. One brother serving in France and another killed.'
