Harland and Wolff - Shipbuilding and Engineering Works

21st February 1917 Belfast Newsletter Rank and File Casualties Today’s list includes, Lance-Corporal Samuel Bryans, 14130, 9th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles,(West Belfast Volunteers) Age 26, who was previously reported missing, has now been reported as killed. L/Cpl Bryans was wounded on the opening day of the Somme Offensive, “Battle of Albert” although wounded, Samuel did not make it back to his own lines and was taken as a wounded prisoner of war by the German’s, sadly L/Cpl Bryans would succumb to his wounds and died as a PoW, 8th July 1916 and is buried in Caudry Old Communal Cemetery, France. Samuel’s now widowed wife Sarah would receive her husband’s owed pay-packet of £3 16 shillings and 8d and would later receive a War Gratuity for her late husband’s service to King and Empire of £8. L/Cpl Bryans was entitled to the 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory medal. Samuel’s younger Brother, Alfred Bryans, 13911, 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Age 19, was killed in action on the 1st of July 1916, and is buried in Connaught Cemetery, Thiepval France. Both men were members of the Ulster Volunteer Force, and were the sons of John and Jane Bryans (nee Kane) of 39 Sugarfield Street, Belfast.