Private James William Bryan
| Date of Birth | c.1885 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 32 |
| Date of Death | 4 October 1917 |
| Service Number | G/16739 |
| Military Service | 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment |
| Merton Address | 86 Acre Road |
| Local Memorial | Christ Church, Colliers Wood |
Additional Information
James William Bryan was born to parents James (snr) and Sarah (nee Grigg) who had married on 3 July 1881. By the time James was born in Holborn, London between Jul-Sept in 1885 they already had two children: Ernest born in 1883 and Florence born in 1884.
In the census of 1891, James aged five is living with parents James (Snr) aged 31 who was working as a Carpenter/Joiner, mother Sarah aged 36 and siblings Ernest, Florence, George aged 2 and Ethel 9 months. The family were living at 107 Pentonville Road, in Clerkenwell and sharing the property with one other family.
By 1901 James now aged 15 is listed as working as a ships Boy. His parents and three of his siblings: George, Eunice (Ethel), and Oliver aged 9 are living at 38 Maskell Road, Wandsworth. His father was still working as a Carpenter/joiner. His brother Ernest had already joined the Navy as an Ordinary Seaman and was currently on board a vessel called “Maria” which was in Victoria Dock in Hull at the time the census was taken.
By 1911 James (snr) and his wife Sarah are living at 159A Tranmere Road, Wandsworth with their daughter Eunice now 20 who is working as a school teacher for the London County Council along with an adopted child call Joyce Alexander aged six. They had been married for 30 years and of their nine children three had died. James ( Jnr) could not be found in this census.
Records show that James (jnr) married Emily Jane Preston on 27th March 1913 at Wandsworth Registry office.
When war broke out he was 29 years of age, living at 86 Acre Road, Colliers Wood and working as a Tar Paviour at the South London Tar Paving Company located at 5 Links Parade, Mitcham Road, in Tooting.
Conscription was introduced in 1916 for all men aged 18-41. James enlisted in Wimbledon on 18th July 1916 and joined the Queens own (Royal West Kent) Regiment 1st Battalion. His enlistment papers described him as being 5ft 5 ½ tall, weighed 136 lbs, and had a scar under his chin. His papers also had the name Louie Morel on them which was crossed out.
From an index of wills and Administrations it appears that James William Bryan was also known at some stage of his life as Louis Morel.
James was killed whilst on Active service in France on 4th October 1917 aged 32. His wife was awarded a pension of 13s 9d per week with effect from 6th May 1918.
He is remembered on the Memorials at Christ Church, Colliers Wood and the Mitcham War memorial and is also remembered on the Hooge Crater war memorial in Belgium.
James wife remarried on 8th May 1920 and became Emily Benjamin after marrying Thomas Benjamin in Croydon.
On 24th May 1920, James’s mother wrote to the war office requesting to receive his memorial plaque and scroll in the light of his widow now being remarried. The war office replied saying the widow, even though now remarried was entitled to receive the plaque and scroll and no duplicate would be issued.