Bryan Macdonald

He was the eldest son of Bryan MacDonald (b. Ireland abt 1853) and Ellen MacDonald (nee Ward) who were married in 1878. In 1891 they were living at 7 Boots Court, Nottingham, with their four children, Winifred (12), Bryan (9), Thomas C. (4) and Ernest (10 months). By 1901 Bryan, Ellen and the three oldest children were living at 26 Millstone Lane, Nottingham; it would seem that their youngest child, Ernest, had died. Bryan senior was now a publican 'on his own account' but his sons occupations were not recorded on the census. Bryan's mother, Ellen, died in 1903 (registered Apr/May/Jun) age 48 and his father remarried in 1904 (registered Apr/May/June) to Maria Copeland. Maria (nee Harrison) had been married twice before, (1) Alfred Cassidy and (2) Edward Copeland; there were children of both marriages. In 1911 Bryan and Maria were living at 5 Lion Terrace, Carlton Road, Nottingham, with one of her sons by a previous marriage, Albert Cassidy. Bryan's youngest son, Thomas (24), was living with his married sister Winifred (32) and her husband Samuel Briggs (40), at 10 Midland Terrace, Nottingham. Their brother, Bryan, has not been traced on the 1911 census. The CWGC record gives his father's address as 5 Lion Terrace, Carlton Road, although when his father died in Nottingham General Hospital on 17 November 1931 at the age of 79 his address was 10 Lion Terrace, Carlton Road. Probate was awarded to his daughter, Winifred Briggs. Bryan's widow, Maria, died the following year aged 80.

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) Depot. He enlisted on 11 December 1915; he did not serve overseas and was discharged on 6 December 1916 (sickness). He died in the City Sanatorium and is buried in Nottingham General Cemetery (Screen Wall. 03258). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal (Silver War Medal number 89202). (Note the roll for the Silver War Badge states that he saw no service overseas, though, as he qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal, he must have done so)

Death notice published 2nd January 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “MACDONALD. – On the 29th December, at the City Sanatorium, Bryan, eldest son of Bryan Macdonald, and dearly beloved brother of Winifred Briggs, of 5, Leas-terrace, Carlton-road, aged 36 years. R.I.P. Military funeral one o'clock Saturday, 4th January [1919], bottom end, General Cemetery.” In memoriam published 29th December 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “MACDONALD. – In loving memory of Pte. Bryan MacDonald, who departed this life December 29th, 1918. Ever in our thoughts. – From father, mother, sister, and brother Tom in Canada.” Above are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918