Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Robert Bryan, a labourer, born 1854 in Kibworth, Leicestershire., and his wife Sarah Jane (Ann) Bryan (nee Kilby, married 1876), born 1852 in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. Henry was born on the 14th December 1876 in Leicester, his siblings were, Robert, born 1878, Thomas, born 1879 and Mary Elizabeth, born 1881, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in April 1881 the family home was at 1, Court, Jewry Wall Street, Leicester. In April 1891 Henry was residing in the family home at 6, Dover Road, New Humberstone, Leicester, together with his father, now a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother and siblings, Thomas, Elizabeth, Albert, born 1884 and Charles, born 1887, the latter two siblings were both born in Leicester, and Rose, born 1890 in New Humberstone, Leicester. Henry’s father died in the 3rd quarter of 1893, aged 39. In March 1901 Henry was absent from the family home at 12, Burleys Lane, Leicester, having enlisted on the 6th December 1898 into the Leicestershire Regiment, and he was serving in South Africa, residing in the family home was his widowed mother, a cardboard box maker, and his siblings, Thomas, a shoe trade finisher, Charles, a shoe trade finisher and Rose. In April 1911, Henry was absent from the family home at 31, Dryden Street, Leicester, residing there were his widowed mother, a cardboard box trade worker and his siblings, Thomas, a shoe trade heel builder and Rose, a cardboard box trade worker. Henry at this time was employed as a postman and was residing as a boarder at 149, Humberstone Road, Leicester, this being the family home of Thomas William Goddard, a boot trade finisher, born 1878 in Leicester and his wife Lilian Goddard (nee Taylor, married 1898), born 1881 in Leicester, and their children, Lilian Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born 1899, Harold, a schoolboy, born 1901, Edwin Sidney, born 1902 and Leonard, born 1905, all the children were born in Leicester. Henry enlisted into the Leicestershire Regiment on the 6th December 1898, giving his age as 22, and his trade or calling as shoe hand, he served in South Africa from the 15th October 1900 until the 30th June 1902, and was awarded the following decorations, the Queen’s South Africa Medal with two clasps, the Transvaal Medal, the King’s South Africa Medal with clasp, the South Africa 1901 – 02 Medal. Henry continued to serve until 1906. After leaving the service he entered the employ of the G.P.O. as an assistant postman in Leicester in February 1907, and became a postman in September 1909. On the outbreak of war, as a reservist Henry left his post with the G.P.O. to return to serve with his regiment. He first entered the theatre of war in France on the 9th September 1914, serving continuously until his death on the 4th February 1915. He was awarded the 1914 Star, the British and Victory Medal’s. Following his death, his personal effects were forwarded to Mrs Lilian Goddard, on the 28th June 1915, at that time residing at 16, Metcalf Street, Leicester. The following information was provided on the 28th June 1919 by Lilian Goddard, his executrix, on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family). Mother Sarah Bryan, residing at 27, Orchard Street, Leicester, full blood siblings were, brothers, Thomas, Albert and Charles, sisters, Elizabeth and Rose.
The War Diary records: 4 Feb-15 - The Battalion were heavily shelled at 7.30pm and small attack made. Casualties Major H. Stovey-Smith and Lieutenant M. W. Brown wounded, two men were killed and six wounded.
On Saturday February 27th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – Information has been received of the death of Pte. H. Bryan, of the 1st Leicesters, who was killed in action on February 4th. He had served 17 years in the Army, and went through the South African War. Before the present war started he was a postman, his home being at 7, Dryden Street, Leicester.
In the same issue the following further article was published under the heading. LEICESTER MEN KILLED IN ACTION. – Mrs. Bryan, 31, Dryden Street, has received an intimation from the War Office that her son, Private Harry Bryan, 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on February 4th. He was a reservist, and served in the army 17 years. He also went through the Boer war. He was a postman by profession.