Samuel  Bryan was first recorded on a census in 1891. He was living with his family at 4 Peter’s Court, Mold. Head of the household was George Bryan, a 31 year old  labourer. His wife Elizabeth was 29. Their listed children were Mary 6, George 3 and Samuel 11 months.

The next census of 1901 placed the family at Milford Street, Mold.  George, the father was not present for the census. The household comprised Elizabeth who was 37, Mary was 16, George 14, Samuel 9 and Jane 11.

The 1911 census placed Samuel, 17,  still  in Milford Street.  He was out of work.  George his brother was a tin plate worker and was 24 years of age.  They lived with their mother, Elizabeth and siblings.   Jane was 15, Mary 25 and a 10 month old baby Mary Elizabeth Bryan. (This census tells us that the mother Elizabeth had been married for 26 years and had given birth to 5 children, 4 of whom were still living).  It is unclear who was the mother of baby Mary Elizabeth. 

UK Soldiers Who Died in The Great War 1914-19, accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms all the military details above. It adds that Samuel enlisted in Wrexham. His medal index card also on Ancestry, lists his medals and tells us that his first theatre of war was The Balkans (Gallipoli) and he entered it on the 28th June 1915.  Samuel died on the 8th August 1915 which was the very day, his older brother George arrived at Gallipoli. George died 15 days later and is also named on Mold’s memorial. He has his own page on this website.

UK register of soldier’s effects in which the army calculated what moneys were owed to deceased soldiers includes an entry for Samuel. It tells us he was killed in action on the 8th August 1915 and that two payments were made to his sister Jennie (presumably Jane on the census returns). She received a total of £6 .. 17sh ..2d