Name
Arthur William Bryant
14th July 1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/09/1918
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
203268
Essex Regiment
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL
Panel 7.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
4 Co' Hertfordshire Reg' Territorials’ Memorial, Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin, Stevenage Old Town Memorial, St Nicholas' Church Memorial, Stevenage Old Town, Holy Trinity Church Memorial Roll of Honour, Stevenage Old Town, The ESA Roll Of Honour, Stevenage, Not listed on the Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
He was born in Stevenage born on the 14th July 1895, the eldest son of Frederick & Elizabeth Bryant later of 1 Nottingham Road, Stevenage.
In 1901 the family were living in Hellards Road, Stevenage and consisted of parents Frederick (30) and Elizabeth Bryant, Frederick was working as a coal carter working for Mr Walter Pearman. The children were: Arthur William (5) and Herbert Baden 10 months.
By 1911 they had moved to 1 Nottingham Rd, Stevenage, both parents were present
Frederick working as a carman for a coal merchant, as was Arthur, now 15, the other children present were Hubert and now Winifred Vera (7) and Reginald Cedric at just 5 weeks. Frederick and Elizabeth had been married 16 years with 4 children all living
Arthur worked at the ESA factory in Stevenage for 4 years. After his death he manager said of him “he was one of the best lads we ever had.” and had joined the Territorial’s before the war as a Private with the Service Number 2213. He married Jane King (b 2 February 1896) in the Spring of 1918 and they resided in Amphill, Beds.
Officially recorded as born Stevenage and was living there when he enlisted in Hitchin, Herts.
Wartime Service
He had served in 4 Company of the Hertfordshire Regiment with the Regimental number originally 2213, meaning he enlisted after 27th January 1913 and before 1st January 1914. So he was a pre-war Territorial mobilised at the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914. His number later changed to 265338 when the army numbers were re-issued in 1917. He then transferred to the 5th Bedfordshire Regiment, following the losses suffered by the British army in the Spring of 1918 many men found themselves being transferred to different Regiments. Later again Arthur was transferred to the Essex Regiment where he was a Lewis gunner with his battalion.
He was killed in action at St. Quentin on the 18th September 1918 and, although contemporary reports state that he was buried at the time of his death, Arthur has no known grave. His name is recorded on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France.
At the time that he was killed in action in France he was serving in the 11th Battalion of the Essex Regiment with the Regimental number 203268. According to ‘Soldiers died’ database he was killed on the 17th September 1918, but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records are probably more correct with the date shown as the 18th September 1918. At the time, they Essex Regiment formed part of 16 Brigade of the 6th Division of IX Corps in the 4th Army.
The 18th September was the day of the Battle of Epehy, a carefully prepared attack with well-organised and very heavy artillery support in the area north-west of St. Quentin. The attack was not a total success as retaliation, especially from mini-fortresses such as The Quadrilateral, caused many casualties until it was captured.
A local newspaper reported that he had served without even the smallest wound until he was killed. It also suggested that he had been promoted to Non Commissioned Officer, but surrendered his stripes.
Additional Information
His widow, Jane Bryant, was later living in Breach Rd, Maulden, their daughter, Rita Joan, was born on the 9 November 1919 and he never had the chance to see her. After his death £7 5s 11d was authorised to go to his widow on 16 July 1919. Then, another £14 11s 8d was authorised on 16 August 1919 “for child” and later a war gratuity of £19 was authorised to be paid to her on 16 December 1919.
His pension card confirms the above and that Jane received a pension of 20s 5d a week from 14 April 1919. She also received a grant of £5 authorised 17 October 1918.
Another brother also served.
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson, David C Baines, Jonty Wild, Jonty Wild
