Category: Military
Rank: Private 37105
Regiment or Ship: 14th Bn Royal Sussex Regiment, 98th Training Reserve
Service Number(s): 37105
Occupation: Dairy Roundsman
Date of Birth: 1888
Place of Birth: Guestling, Hastings
Address: 8 Windsor Road, Bexhill
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents:- George Bryant, born 1845, in Sedlesombe, Sussex, and Fanny Bryant, born 1854, in Ewhurst, Sussex.
Siblings:-
George Bryant, born 1877, in Westfield.
Fanny Bryant, born 1882, in Westfield.
Eliza Bryant, born in 1885, in Westfield.
Sophia Bryant, born in 1886, in Guestling.
Frank Bryant, born in 1888, in Guestling.
Spouse: Dulciebella Catherine Bryant nee Hughes. Born 1885 in Brightling, Sussex. Married on 7.3.1919.
Children:
Albert George Francis Bryant, born 28.6.1911, in Hailsham.
Charles William Bryant, born 4.5.1913, in Eastbourne.
Frederick Frank Bryant, born 13.7.1915, in Bexhill.
At this time, in the 1911 census, the family were living at 96 South Road, Hailsham, Sussex, and Frank was working as a carter on a farm.
First World War Experience
Frank completed his Attestation form on 10.12.1915 saying that he was 32 years 8 months old, married and a British subject. Interestingly, he signed to say that he was not willing to be vaccinated or re-vaccinated. On his Report of Enlistment his height was given as 5’ 7½”, his chest expanded 38½”, the range of expansion 3”, and his religion was Church of England.
(There is a slight problem with Frank’s birth year. On the 1891 census his father gives his age as 3 making a year of 1888 and, indeed, on the National Birth Index his birth is recorded in the April/May/June quarter of 1888. However, using the age he gives of this Attestation form his birth year works out as 1883. One can only assume that, as his wife was born in 1885, he wanted to appear to be older than he actually was. We will never know for sure but it is a possibility.)
On 23.10.1916 the Infantry Record Office, Hounslow, wrote to Mrs. Bryant asking for a birth certificate for Albert George Francis Bryant. They wrote again, (no date given) “VERY URGENT asking again for birth certificate saying this was asked for on 5.8.1916 and if not received separation allowance is liable to be cancelled”.
On 18.10.1916 Mrs Bryant obviously replied to the earlier request of 5.8.1916 because the dates quoted have been checked and confirmed. Her letter is very interesting and a copy can be seen by clicking on the link below.
About 3.11.1916 Frank had an epileptic fit and, on a form dated 4.11.1916, the following was written:-
98th T.R. Bn.
“Can drive oil and petrol engines. Employed by W. Edwards, Devonshire Dairy, Bexhill on Sea, as Milk Roundsman for about six months.”
He “desired to return to some light employment at Bexhill on Sea.”
His Approved Society:- Prudential.
On 25th November he was finally discharged as being no longer fit for War Service.
On 4.12.1916 Letter No. 37532 was sent to 8 Windsor Road:-
A ‘Receipt of Armlet’ was sent to the Chief of Police, at Bexhill on Sea, asking him to have the Armlet and pamphlet delivered to: 37105 Pte F. A. Bryant (Late T. Res.).
Memo from East Sussex Constabulary dated 4.12.1916
From:- Isaac Budgen, Supt. Of Police, Bexhill on Sea
To:- The Colonel, I/C Record Office, Hounslow
“re 37105 Pte F. A. Bryant (Late Res.)
Sir
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 37532, re the above, and in reply to acquaint you that the Armlet and pamphlet have been delivered to the above-named man as requested, and I am enclosing you herewith his receipt.”
In November Frank applied for a pension but this was rejected on 15th November. However, he re-applied and on 14th February 1917 a notification from the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, S.W. to the O/C T.R./98th Training Reserve Bn (Late R. Sussex), stated that he had been awarded a pension of 10/- per week.
On 16.8.1917 Frank was put on the “Roll of Individuals entitled to the ‘War Badge’ “:-
“TR/10/37105 Pte Bryant, Frank Albert, 98th , Badge No. 232936, Date of Entitlement 1.6.1916. Date of Discharge 25.11.1916. “Sickness para 392 (xvi)”.
Finally, on 28th August, he was given War Badge and Certificate No. 232936 in respect of Military Service TR/10/37105 – 98th Training Reserve.
“The Badge will be worn on the right breast or on the right lapel of the jacket, but not in Naval or Military uniform.”
On this form his address was, 30 Sackville Road, Bexhill on Sea, and he signed for the Badge and dated it 31st. August 1917.