Charles was born to Mark Henry and Sarah Ann (nee Hancock) Bryant in Tockington, Gloucestershire in 1885. The 5th of 8 children, Charles was the third of five sons. Although all the brothers were of age to have served in WW1, Charles appears to have been the only one that was lost in action.

The Bryants were a working class family. Both of Charles parents had been born in the Tockington/Olveston rural area of Gloucestershire, and Mark was employed there as a Farm Labourer in 1881. It appears that the couple married in Bristol in 1874 where Sarah Ann was a employed as a domestic servant. The couple’s first 2 children were born in the city.

By 1891 the Bryants had moved back to Bristol and are recorded as living in Napier Rd, Stapleton. In 1896 Sarah Ann died. Three years later, his father remarried. His new spouse was a spinster named Emma King, a former barmaid from Doynton. Charles is recorded as living with his father and step-mother in Bristol in 1901. His father was working as a Masons Labourer at this time.

On 22nd August 1905 Charles enlisted with a militia unit, the 3rd Gloucestershire Regt and noted on his enlistment papers that he’d previously tried to join as a Regular only to be rejected as too short (he was 5 ft 2 1/2 in). ! He recorded his previous occupation as a Miners Labourer working in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. Miraculously, he seems to have grown in the following month to 5 ft 3 in and was able to sign up as a Regular. In Jan 1906, Pte Bryant was assigned from the Regimental Depot to the 2nd battalion and in Feb 1907 assigned to the 1st Battalion based in India. It appears he fell ill whilst serving in Lahore and was invalided home in April 1909. He was discharged as medically unfit on 11 May 1909 from Netley Hospital. His conduct and character being noted as “Very Good”.

Unfortunately, Charles’ 1911 census record cannot be identified and his WW1 soldiers enlistment record is also missing.

We do know though that he enlisted before conscription came into force. Possibly he was called back to the colours, but as he had previously been medically discharged it was more likely he volunteered. At 5 ft 3 in, he would also have been at the minimum height for active service. He is recorded as enlisting in Newport and being originally assigned to the 3rd South Wales Borderers (a training battalion based at Pembroke Dock). Old soldiers were greatly valued in the rapid expansion of the army at the start of the war, and it is likely this was the reason for his promotion to corporal.

On 22nd April 1915 the Germans launched the 2nd Battle of Ypres to gain the high ground north of town at Pilckem and Langemarck. The battle started with a surprise gas attack on French troops at the Northern edge of the salient. This was the first time gas had been used and the French colonial troops fell back in panic and confusion. Canadian troops moved up quickly to plug the line and a succession of German attacks and British counter-attacks followed, with British forces slowly moving back toward Ypres.

This was the backdrop then for Charles arrival in France on 5th May. His new unit, the 1st Welch Regt was a Regular Army unit forming part of 84 Brigade, 28 Division. The Brigade had already been badly knocked around in the battle in the Zonnebeke area, suffering many casualties from the superior German artillery. On 8th May the Brigade was heavily mauled by the German attack on Frezenburg Ridge, but once again dogged resistance and local counter-attacks stopped the German advance.

After a few days out of the line, the battalion received a replacement draft of 218 men were on 16th May. These were largely transfers from the 3rd S.W.Borderers and Charles was most likely amongst them. The Regular army officers of the BEF maintained exacting pre-war standards among their units and often took a dim view of the “New Army men”. The OC 1 Welch was no different and he noted in the battalion war diary that marching and discipline was “poor” among the new drafts. They gained no kudos for being civilian volunteers.

On the 22nd the battalion was back in the line near Hooge until relieved by the 11th Hussars on the 24th. Shortly after the relief, the Germans launched a large gas attack in the opening blow of what would be known as the Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge. Around midday the 1 Welch were ordered back and heavily shelled all the way. Many casualties were taken and the OC wounded. The battalion advanced and took positions near Bellewaarde Farm coming under heavy rifle and artillery fire. Just after midnight the battalion launched an assault on positions near Wittepoort Farm. The Germans were ready, having been alerted by supporting British fire from the right. Very heavy rifle and machine gun fire cut through the attackers, but the attack was pressed “with great dash” and the Germans turned out of their trench on the ridge above the farm at “the point of the bayonet”. The position was held until dawn, when it had to be evacuated after coming under British artillery fire. Another Welch attack on positions in front of Wittepoort farm was made later in the day but was repelled by heavy German machine gun fire.

1st Welch casualties on 24-25th May were a staggering 433 killed, wounded and missing. Around 280 men had been killed. The battalion suffered the largest casualties in the Brigade, which had in total lost 60% of its strength.

Nevertheless, the Germans were now so battered themselves that they now gave up on any further assaults. Unbeknownst to the 1 Welch as they marched back to their bivouac later on the 25th May this had been the last day of the 2nd Battle of Ypres. On the 29th General Allenby inspected the battalion and congratulated the 84 Brigade on its “magnificent work”.

We don’t know how Charles met his fate amidst all this desperate slaughter. As with the majority of his comrades, his body was never identified. He is commemorated today on the Menin Gate memorial to the missing in Ypres.

We do know he was a brave man. He and his comrades did not have to volunteer. They put themselves in harms way for many reasons, but by their deeds on that dreadful day they helped end the mortal threat to the British Army around Ypres.

Remembered with pride. Gone but not forgotten.

John Chaloner