John Norman Bryan

GEDCOM Note

Last updated 13 Sep 2016

Research Notes

Identity John Bryan's name and vital facts are clearly known to Norman Bryan who participated in compiling this data, and are not in dispute. Military service and early residences are more unclear, but we know John served his compulsory service in about 1937-38, and was then re-enlisted at the outbreak of WWII in 1939. Supplemental information such as occupation and some addresses have been obtained from relevant Birth and Marriage registers.

Electoral Rolls March 2015: Ancestry now gives us access to the electoral rolls and we can see John and Amy Bryan living together with relatives Grace and Peter Horkan (Aunt Grace) and also mother-in-law Amy Gurney. Must have been tight in one of those little house. We also have the electoral roll for 1945, which shows John Bryan in service. On this same document we find Frederick R. Rooke, John's brother-in-law.

Service Records Anecdotally I believe, from listening to John's stories in person, John performed National Service (conscription) between about 1937 to 1939. He completed his service pretty much as WW2 started, and was immediately redrafted. His second service involved basic training again, including being barracked in a brewery somewhere during the winter months. I believe he served in a medical unit, remaining a private or possibly making Corporal. He served in the Far East theatres - Malaysia etc.

Electoral Rolls - Clues to Relations? At 260 Long Acre we find a William Bryan in service in 1945 - so this would be a man we guess between 21 (at that time, the voting age) and 45 years of age. (DOB 1900-1925 ish). By 1950 WIlliam Bryan is no longer resident, but we do find: 683 Bryan, Edward 260 684 Bryan, Nellie 260 685 Bryan, Charles 260 686 Bryan, Thomas H 260

In 1955 again we see: 647 Bryan, Edward 260 648 Bryan, Nellie 260 649 Bryan, Charles 260 650 Y - Bryan, Margaret 260 651 Y - Bryan, Edith 260

Are these cousins? There is also a George WIley in service in 1945, resident at 2 back 45 Holborn Hill. It would be nice if he is related to our other Wileys.