Died aged 48. 10 Apr 1869 – 17 Oct 19171st Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment; attd. Cdg. 9th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
Born 10 Apr 1869, baptised 6 May 1869 in Chippenham, Wiltshire, son of George Rourke Bryant and his wife Hannah.
Alan was educated at Marlborough, Cassel and Sandhurst and was a graduate of the Staff College. He had his commission in the Gloucesters on the 28th March 1890, and served with his regiment in Ireland, Malta, Egypt and India. In 1891 he was aged 21, a 2nd Lieutenant, stationed in Aldershot with 2nd Battalion Infantry.
Alan married Millicent Emie W Morice in 1899 in Westminster.
In October 1899, at the outbreak of the South African War, he took part in the fighting at Rietfontein and around Ladysmith, where he was captured by the Boers. Later he was released and saw further fighting in the Transvaal and Orange Free State, and received the Queens Medal and three clasps, He was promoted Captain in 1900, and in the following year he was nominated to the Staff College. The 1901 census tells us that he was aged 31, living in Orchard Cottage, Sandhurst, with his wife Millicent (27) and a housemaid Rose Elms.
After passing out from the Staff College, he was appointed instructor at Sandhurst, a post which he held from 1903 to 1905, when he became brigade major at Plymouth, where he remained until 1907. In 1908 he was appointed to the Coast Defence Staff at Dover and held that appointment until 1912.
The couple had a daughter Enid Millicent Ida, born in 1901. On November 9th 1906, at Plymouth, Alan and Millicent welcomed their second child, a boy named Maurice Alan.
When the 1911 census was taken, Alan was aged 41, a Captain of the Gloucester Regt, ‘Employed On General Staff Of Army’, living at 4 Victoria Park, Dover with Millicent (37), their son Maurice (4), a visitor, and three servants – a cook, housemaid and nurse (domestic).
In 1912 he was appointed General Staff Officer in Canada. He was home on leave when WW1 broke out. He was appointed General Staff Officer (second grade) of a division and went to France early in 1915.
Alan was promoted temporary Lieutenant Colonel in 1917 and commanded a battalion of the Welsh Regiment, and at one time was temporarily in command of a brigade. At the time of his death he was in command the 9th battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was twice mentioned in despatches, and received the D.S.O. in 1916. He had seen a good deal of Staff service both at home and in Canada.
His brigadier writes: “He had only been a short time with us, during which he had proved himself to be a very good commanding officer, and was respected and liked by everyone.” His second-in-command writes: “He was only with us a short time, and yet in that time he obtained the respect and trust of all ranks. Our soldiers appreciated him instantly as a commanding officer who had their welfare at heart and a gentleman. That, I think, is the greatest compliment that can be paid. I feel that I have lost a gallant friend. It was a pleasure for me to serve under him, and his battalion feel their loss keenly.”
Alan is commemorated on an individual brass plaque in St George’s Church, Dunster. The History of Dunster Church and Priory: v. 2 by Joan Jordan: “In 1926 it was reported at the P.C.C. meeting that a proposal to ask for a faculty for the erection of a brass tablet in the church to the memory of the late Colonel Bryant be approved. The cost, estimated at £20, was to be defrayed by Mr G. R. Bryant of Stockbridge, Hants. The work was carried out by Wippell & Co.”
IN LOVING MEMORY OF LIEUT COLONEL/ ALAN BRYANT D.S.O. OF THE GLOUCES/ TERSHIRE REGIMENT WHO WAS KILLED/ IN ACTION NEAR YPRES 17TH OCTOBER/ 1917 WHILST IN COMMAND OF THE 9TH/ BATT. NORTHMBERLAND FUSILIERS
