James Brannan
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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James was the son of Thomas and Ann Brannan (née Dickinson). His father Thomas Brennan was born in about 1856 in Mayo, Ireland. His mother Annie was born in 1863 in Daybrook, Arnold, Nottingham, the daughter of William and Emma Dickinson, and baptised at Arnold St Mary on 21 June 1863. The family had moved to Nottingham by 1871 when they were living on Newton Street. Thomas and Annie were married at St Barnabus RC cathedral on 28 August 1882 (J/A/S Nottingham) and had at least five children who were born in Nottingham with the exception of Annie who was born in Leeds: James b. 1883 (O/N/D Nottingham) d. 31 March 1918; Thomas b. 1884 (O/N/D Nottingham) d. 1929 (O/N/D Nottingham); William birth registered 1887 (J/F/M Nottingham); Annie b. 1889 (J/A/S Leeds) and Emiiy b. 29 April 1897 bap. Nottingham St Patrick 5 September 1897 d. 28 October 1916. Thomas (35), a bricklayers' labourer, and Annie (28) were living in Leeds, Yorkshire, in 1891 with their children James (7), Thomas (6), William (5) and Annie (2). Also in the household was Thomas' brother James (21 b. Walsall Staffs) who was also a bricklayers' labourer. The family had moved to Nottingham by the time Emily was born in 1897. The baptismal record gave their address as 19 Martin's Yard, Nottingham, and this was still their address in 1901. Four of their five children were in the home on the night of the census: James a collier, Thomas a plasterers' labourer, William a lace dresser and Emily. James' mother Annie died in 1907 (J/F/M Nottingham) and in 1911 her widowed husband, Thomas, was a patient in an instititution or hospital in Bulwell, Nottingham. His death was registered the following year (1912 J/F/M Nottingham). Thomas jnr. had married Mary Ann Scarborough in 1906 (A/M/J Nottingham) and in 1911 they were living in Lake Yard, Nottingham, with their children Emily Annie (4) and Thomas (1). He was a builders' labourer and his wife did lace work. Annie had married Thomas Baker in 1909 (J/A/S Nottingham) and in 1911 they were living on Paradise Street, Middle Marsh, Nottingham with their son John (1); Thomas' occupation was lace dressing. Also in the household were Annie's brother and sister - James whose occupation was also lace dressing, and Emily a brass bobbin winder. Their brother William has not yet been traced after 1901.
21st Bn James died on 31 March 1918 of wounds received in action and was buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France (grave ref. V.C.4A). CWGC: 'Le Treport was an important hospital centre and by July 1916, the town contained three general hospitals (the 3rd, 16th and 2nd Canadian), No.3 Convalescent Depot and Lady Murray's B.R.C.S. Hospital.' 21st Bn Middlesex Regiment was deployed near Mory during the opening of Luddendorff's Spring Offensive. The unit suffered sixty six fatalities between 21st and 31st March 1918. Twenty two died on March 23rd near St Leger when, according to their war diary, 'the troops carried out the attack in the best possible order, and with magnificent dash, more as though they were on a field day than in a battle.' Eighteen were killed on 24th when the battalion, although carrying out a fighting retreat, 'took at least 60 prisoners' who were used 'for the most part to carry our wounded from the aid post.' Thirteen 21st Bn Middlesex men died on March 25th carrying out a movement 'under very heavy artillery fire' to prevent the enemy enveloping Gommecourt. The fighting had subsided by March 31st and church parades held so it seems likely that Brannan died on this day from wounds suffered earlier that week. David Nunn (Sources 21st Bn War Diary, February to June 1918, TNA WO95/2606/3 and the CWGC Debt of Honour Register)
James' sister, Emily Winifred Bannan, was a munitions worker and died of TNT poisoning on 28 October 1916. (See record on this ROH)
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