Thomas Marsden Bryan

Thomas Marsden Bryan was the son of Fanny Bryan who was named on the CWGC and service records as 'Mrs F Bryan'. Thomas served as Marsden. Fanny Bryan was born in Coddington (birth registered 1864 J/F/M Newark), the daughter of Charles and Eliza Bryan nee Rose. Her father was probably born in 1827 and was baptised in Coddington on 23 September 1827 (parents Wiliam and Sarah). Charles and Eliza were married at Coddington All Saints on 25 December 1847 and from the census returns between 1841 and 1871 had at least 14 children: George, James (prob. d. young), Robert, Jane, Eliza (prob, d. young), Thomas, Sarah A, Eliza, Edward, Henry, Fanny, Ellen, William and Frederick. Fanny (7) was living on Main Street, Coddington, with her parents and numerous siblings, in 1871 and was still living in Coddington with her widowed father Charles (63), an agricultural labourer, in 1891. Fanny (27), who was unmarried, was descibed as a housekeeper/domestic servant although at the time of the prevous census (1881) she had no occupation and was probably helping in the home. Also in the house on the night of the 1891 Census were her unmarried brother James (40), a vermin killer, and her father's three grandchildren - Fanny's two children Sydney (5) and Eliza (3), and William Bryan (16 b. 1873 O/N/D Newark-Bryan) who appears to have lived with his grandparents since at least 1881 when he was three years old. Charles Bryan died age 72 in January 1900 (J/F/M Newark) and was buried in Coddington churchyard on 25 January. In 1901 Fanny (36) was living at Well Green, Coddington, with her brother James (48 b. 1850 A/M/J Newark/Rose), a farm labourer; James was the head of household. Also in the household were James' nephews and nieces: Sydney (15) a groom (domestic), Eliza (13), Thomas (9) and Gertrude (under 1 year). Fanny's four children were born in Coddington and their births registered in the surname Bryan: Sydney b. 1885 (O/N/D Newark), Eliza b. 1887 (J/A/S Newark), Thomas Marsden b. 1891 (O/N/D Newark) and Gertrude birth registered 1901 (J/F/M Newark). Fanny's brother, James, probably died in 1903 (J/F/M Nottingham) Fanny and her children had moved to Newark by 1911 and were living at 46 Side [?Bottom] Row, Beacon Hill Road. Fanny (46), single and head of household, was a charwoman. Three of her children were still living at home: Sydney (25) a malster's labourer, Thomas (19) a general labourer, and Gertrude (10). The eldest daughter, Eliza, had probably married in 1908. Fanny was still living at 46 Bottom Row, Beacon Hill, Newark-on-Trent, at the time the the CWGC record was compiled and this is also her address on the 1922 Electoral Register. Fanny probably died in 1939 (A/M/J Newark). Of Thomas' siblings: Sydney attested in the Militia on 7 April 1902 (9010 Sherwood Foresters, Derbyshire Regiment); he was 17 years old (1885, Coddington) and working as a labourer. He named his mother Fanny Bryan as his next of kin. Sydney married May Hawton in Newark on 17 August 1911 and they had at least three children: George Edward b. 24 January 1912 (d. 1971 J/F/M Newark), Eva Mary b. 30 December 1913 and Hannah M birth registered 1924 (J/F/M Newark/Horton d. 1940 O/N/D Newark aged 15). Sydney attested in 1915 at the age of 29; he was living at 6 Wards Row, Lovers Lane, Newark. He served as a driver (T4/092118) in the Army Service Corps, 312th Company Horse Transport); home service from 14 June 1915 to 23 August 1916 when he was discharged being 'no longer physically fit for war service' as the result of a hernia (which was assessed not to be the result of, or aggravated by, active service). His wife May (b. 10 May 1889) was recorded on the 1939 England & Wales Register still living at 6 Wards Row, Newark; her son George, a labourer public works, and daughter Hannah, a machinist knitter, were living with her. Sydney has not yet been traced on the 1939 Register; he probably died aged 70 in September 1955 (J/A/S Newark). May had died in 1952 (J/A/S Newark). Eliza married Jim Smith at Newark Register Office on 4 January 1908 (J/F/M Newark) and in 1911 they were living at 48 Side [Bottom] Row, Beacon Hill, Newark, with their daughter Doris b. 10 April 1908 (A/M/J Newark). They had at least two more children: Charles b. 2 December 1911 (O/N/D Newark/Bryan) and Edna b. 1919 (O/N/D Newark/Bryan). Jim and May were still living at 48 Bottom Row when he attested on 4 July 1915. He was posted initially to the Sherwood Foresters (28320 Private) and served with the regiment in France from 23 December 1915. He suffered a gunshot wound to the right knee and was admitted to Etaples General Hospital on 16 February 1916, returning to England on 26 February. He was transferred to the Labour Corps (66419 Private) on 9 May 1917 and served at home. On 4 May 1918 he was admitted to the St John Hospital, Southport, suffering from a contusion and then on 27 June 1918 was transferred to the Army Reserve (301 Res. Labour Corps). Jim was discharged on 5 May 1919 'being surplus to military requirements having suffered impairments since entry into the service.' He had served for 3 years 225 days. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Jim died in 1938 (O/N/D Newark) aged 53. Eliza was still living at 48 Bottom Row when the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled; she was working as an inspector at a ball bearings factory. Also in the household was John Judson b. 13 April 1923(?), single, a cages fitter ball bearings; he was probably working for the same company as Eliza. Eliza died in 1955 (J/F/M Newark) aged 68. Gertrude (Gertie) may had died unmarried in 1923 (J/F/M Newark).

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