JOHN ERNEST BRYANT
Service No. 55906
7 October 1880 – 8 Feb 1918
John Ernest BRYANT was born on 7 October 1880 at his parents’ home in Ohariu Valley. His parents were John William Bryant and Emma EAGLE, who married in 1869. John Ernest was the fifth of seven children born to John and Emma between 1870 and 1888, five sons and two daughters. Emma Eagle was born in London, the daughter of Robert Eagle and Hannah Blanche PUTTENHAM. John Ernest was named after one of Emma’s brothers (she had 11 siblings).
John’s paternal grandparents, James Bryant(1) from Sharpham, Devon, and Mary Ann Mitchenson POLLARD from Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, married in August 1839 and applied for a free passage to New Zealand not long after. They arrived on the “Duke of Roxburgh”, landing at Petone on 7 February 1840, after a voyage of 125 days from Plymouth, England. James was an experienced gardener, and quickly found employment first with Francis Molesworth(2) and then with Alfred Ludlam(3) , setting out their gardens. Mary Ann was pregnant when they arrived in New Zealand, and gave birth to John William on 31 May 1840, the first of ten children, all of whom survived to adulthood.
By 1860, the family had moved to Johnsonville, then a 2-hour journey from Wellington. James was the licensee of the Arms accommodation house from 1860 to 1863 and then leased and purchased land in Ohariu. He and his family felled bush, built a home and established a dairy herd and eventually ran several thousand sheep on various properties. Their eldest son, John William, after a stint at the West Coast goldfields where he had moderate success, purchased a small sheep run in Ohariu where he settled and spent the rest of his life.
John William had been key to convincing the government to extend the telephone line to Ohariu Valley. On the day it was finally connected in June 1891 John William was injured in a trap accident:
“Mr. Bryant was instrumental in inducing the Government to extend the telephone to Ohariu, his chief argument for the extension being that a doctor might be urgently required by the inhabitants of the valley at any moment. Singular to relate the work of fixing the telephone at Ohariu was completed on Wednesday last, and almost the first message for the public transmitted over the wire was sent by the deceased gentleman's friends on Wednesday last summoning Dr. Cahlll to attend Mr. Bryant to what proved to be his death bed.”
John Ernest Bryant was therefore one of the second generation of the family born in New Zealand. He grew up on the family farm in Ohariu Valley, living a rural life assisting his brothers and father on the farm.
After leaving school John continued to work on the farm with his brothers. The Bryants are mentioned in the newspapers on 26 January 1909 in reference to Wool Sales in the London market, giving the prices of fleeces sold. The Bryant brothers realised 9.65d and H.G. and J.E. Bryant realised 8.30d per pound of wool.
John was mentioned in a brief item about a bazaar held in the Ohariu Hall on 26 Jan 1911, to raise funds for the hall. Stephen Bryant, his brother, opened the bazaar and the item records that John Ernest took first place in the “Throwing the Hammer” event.
Later that year, in November, their mother Emma passed away and was buried alongside John William in the Holy Trinity Cemetery, Ohariu.
Service No. 55906
7 October 1880 – 8 Feb 1918
John Ernest BRYANT was born on 7 October 1880 at his parents’ home in Ohariu Valley. His parents were John William Bryant and Emma EAGLE, who married in 1869. John Ernest was the fifth of seven children born to John and Emma between 1870 and 1888, five sons and two daughters. Emma Eagle was born in London, the daughter of Robert Eagle and Hannah Blanche PUTTENHAM. John Ernest was named after one of Emma’s brothers (she had 11 siblings).
John’s paternal grandparents, James Bryant(1) from Sharpham, Devon, and Mary Ann Mitchenson POLLARD from Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, married in August 1839 and applied for a free passage to New Zealand not long after. They arrived on the “Duke of Roxburgh”, landing at Petone on 7 February 1840, after a voyage of 125 days from Plymouth, England. James was an experienced gardener, and quickly found employment first with Francis Molesworth(2) and then with Alfred Ludlam(3) , setting out their gardens. Mary Ann was pregnant when they arrived in New Zealand, and gave birth to John William on 31 May 1840, the first of ten children, all of whom survived to adulthood.
By 1860, the family had moved to Johnsonville, then a 2-hour journey from Wellington. James was the licensee of the Arms accommodation house from 1860 to 1863 and then leased and purchased land in Ohariu. He and his family felled bush, built a home and established a dairy herd and eventually ran several thousand sheep on various properties. Their eldest son, John William, after a stint at the West Coast goldfields where he had moderate success, purchased a small sheep run in Ohariu where he settled and spent the rest of his life.
John William had been key to convincing the government to extend the telephone line to Ohariu Valley. On the day it was finally connected in June 1891 John William was injured in a trap accident:
“Mr. Bryant was instrumental in inducing the Government to extend the telephone to Ohariu, his chief argument for the extension being that a doctor might be urgently required by the inhabitants of the valley at any moment. Singular to relate the work of fixing the telephone at Ohariu was completed on Wednesday last, and almost the first message for the public transmitted over the wire was sent by the deceased gentleman's friends on Wednesday last summoning Dr. Cahlll to attend Mr. Bryant to what proved to be his death bed.”
John Ernest Bryant was therefore one of the second generation of the family born in New Zealand. He grew up on the family farm in Ohariu Valley, living a rural life assisting his brothers and father on the farm.
After leaving school John continued to work on the farm with his brothers. The Bryants are mentioned in the newspapers on 26 January 1909 in reference to Wool Sales in the London market, giving the prices of fleeces sold. The Bryant brothers realised 9.65d and H.G. and J.E. Bryant realised 8.30d per pound of wool.
John was mentioned in a brief item about a bazaar held in the Ohariu Hall on 26 Jan 1911, to raise funds for the hall. Stephen Bryant, his brother, opened the bazaar and the item records that John Ernest took first place in the “Throwing the Hammer” event.
Later that year, in November, their mother Emma passed away and was buried alongside John William in the Holy Trinity Cemetery, Ohariu.
When war was declared in August 1914 John, who was still single and aged 34, may have felt some pressure to join up. However, he delayed until 11 May 1917 when he signed up at Wellington. Conscription was to come into force later the same year, but John joined up voluntarily. On his enlistment records he is described as a self-employed farmer in Ohariu Valley. He was tall, at 6ft 2 inches, with fair hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. He had previously suffered from appendicitis and indigestion.
After the usual training, John left Wellington on Thursday, 26 July 1917 on the “Ulimaroa”, as part of the 30th Reinforcements. He was the third of the Makara memorial men to leave on this ship: Karl Pedersen had left on 1 May 1916, and Harry Monaghan on its next voyage leaving 29 July 1916. The last of the Makara casualties, Arthur “Joe” Trotter, was also to depart on the “Ulimaroa”, in February 1918.
John’s medical file records that he was sick with appendicitis and colic on the voyage to England. The Ulimaroa arrived at Plymouth on Monday 24 September 1917 and the men were immediately marched to Sling camp.
John was posted into the Rifle Brigade, who had their own camp near Brocton, and he and his fellow riflemen arrived there on Thursday 27 September 1917. The Brocton camp was perched on a hill in Staffordshire, on the northern edge of Cannock Chase, a large area of woodland, plantations and open heathland. Nearby was a German prisoner of war camp, which had been established in April 1917.
The camp was ideal for more intensive rifle training, as there were extensive moorlands to practice in, and John remained there for nearly a month. He finally left for France on Tuesday 23 October 1917 as part of the Rifle Brigade Reserve, arriving in Étaples on 26 October.
John officially joined the 1st Battalion of the Rifle Brigade in the field on 2 November 1917, posted to B Company.
The Rifle Brigade regiment came into being officially on 1 May 1915. First known as the Trentham Infantry Regiment, the name change was officially gazetted on 1 Oct 1915 as the New Zealand Rifle Brigade —Earl of Liverpool's Own. At the end of February 1916 when the New Zealand Davison was organised, the Rifle Brigade became the 3rd Brigade of the Division and eventually was known as "The 3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade."
The Rifle Brigade had taken part in the campaign in Egypt, then the major battles of the Somme, Messines and Passchendaele.
After Passchendaele, the Rifle Brigade went to the Second Army Rest Area, which was in a district about halfway between St Omer and Boulogne. The 1st Battalion were billeted in the Colembert and Le Wast area, about 55 miles from Ypres. They remained there until 8 November, resting, reorganising and training. John arrived along with approximately 1000 other reinforcements on 2 November. The reinforcements were sorely needed, and were well-equipped but more than half had very little training. On 9 November the Brigade moved eastward and continued training until 12 November.
The Brigade returned to the front in the Ypres sector on 14 November. The 1st Battalion took over in relief at Clapham Junction on the Menin Road near Hooge, and on 15 November went into the front line at Reutel. The 1st Battalion was relieved in the front line on 20 November but machine gun and artillery fire were heavy, in particular at Brigade headquarters. John was wounded on 21 November and evacuated to hospital. His military personnel file does not record any detail of his wounds.
After the usual training, John left Wellington on Thursday, 26 July 1917 on the “Ulimaroa”, as part of the 30th Reinforcements. He was the third of the Makara memorial men to leave on this ship: Karl Pedersen had left on 1 May 1916, and Harry Monaghan on its next voyage leaving 29 July 1916. The last of the Makara casualties, Arthur “Joe” Trotter, was also to depart on the “Ulimaroa”, in February 1918.
John’s medical file records that he was sick with appendicitis and colic on the voyage to England. The Ulimaroa arrived at Plymouth on Monday 24 September 1917 and the men were immediately marched to Sling camp.
John was posted into the Rifle Brigade, who had their own camp near Brocton, and he and his fellow riflemen arrived there on Thursday 27 September 1917. The Brocton camp was perched on a hill in Staffordshire, on the northern edge of Cannock Chase, a large area of woodland, plantations and open heathland. Nearby was a German prisoner of war camp, which had been established in April 1917.
The camp was ideal for more intensive rifle training, as there were extensive moorlands to practice in, and John remained there for nearly a month. He finally left for France on Tuesday 23 October 1917 as part of the Rifle Brigade Reserve, arriving in Étaples on 26 October.
John officially joined the 1st Battalion of the Rifle Brigade in the field on 2 November 1917, posted to B Company.
The Rifle Brigade regiment came into being officially on 1 May 1915. First known as the Trentham Infantry Regiment, the name change was officially gazetted on 1 Oct 1915 as the New Zealand Rifle Brigade —Earl of Liverpool's Own. At the end of February 1916 when the New Zealand Davison was organised, the Rifle Brigade became the 3rd Brigade of the Division and eventually was known as "The 3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade."
The Rifle Brigade had taken part in the campaign in Egypt, then the major battles of the Somme, Messines and Passchendaele.
After Passchendaele, the Rifle Brigade went to the Second Army Rest Area, which was in a district about halfway between St Omer and Boulogne. The 1st Battalion were billeted in the Colembert and Le Wast area, about 55 miles from Ypres. They remained there until 8 November, resting, reorganising and training. John arrived along with approximately 1000 other reinforcements on 2 November. The reinforcements were sorely needed, and were well-equipped but more than half had very little training. On 9 November the Brigade moved eastward and continued training until 12 November.
The Brigade returned to the front in the Ypres sector on 14 November. The 1st Battalion took over in relief at Clapham Junction on the Menin Road near Hooge, and on 15 November went into the front line at Reutel. The 1st Battalion was relieved in the front line on 20 November but machine gun and artillery fire were heavy, in particular at Brigade headquarters. John was wounded on 21 November and evacuated to hospital. His military personnel file does not record any detail of his wounds.
While John was recovering, the 1st Battalion went to Micmac Camp, two miles west of Dickebusch, but was back in the Becelaere Sector on 1 December, after a long march. Each Brigade spent about a week in the line, with a similar period in support and then out to reserve for the same length of time. The brigade went into support on the night of 9/10 December and the 1st Battalion went to Howe Camp, then to Micmac Camp on 15 December, then relieved 3rd Otago on Cameron Covert on 27 December. John had recovered sufficiently to rejoin his unit on 30 November.
The following description appears in the Official History of the Rifle Brigade, describing conditions in the Cameron Covert sub-sector, in December 1917.
Our position in the Cameron Covert sub-sector consisted of a number of isolated posts facing south-east, with a partially-constructed support line running behind the wood. In the wood itself and in the valley of the Polygonbeek were a number of old German concrete "pill-boxes" which we converted to our use as living-quarters. The posts overlooked the sodden valley of the Reutelbeek, and were under observation by the enemy from his position at Polderhoek Chateau, which was only 600 yards distant, and from which concealed snipers and machine-guns were unpleasantly active. Snow still lay on the ground, making movement on the forward slopes very difficult. The use of white suits for patrolling was effective, but this advantage was largely discounted by the noise of crashing ice as our men moved over the shell-holes in No Man's Land. While the ground remained frozen, progress in trench-improvement was slow, and when a thaw set in, the falling-in of the sides impeded drainage and involved much labour in the upkeep of the existing works. To mitigate, in some degree, the discomforts of the men in these conditions, parties of fifty were sent daily from the line to the Divisional Baths at Ypres for a thorough wash and a change of underclothing.
When the Brigade was in support or in reserve, work parties were charged with salvaging as much material as possible from the mud of the Salient. John would have participated in this work, retrieving rifles, harness, barbed-wire, clothing and so forth. Days were set aside for training only, which included organised sports and games. There were heavy snow-storms on Christmas Day and special duties were cancelled. The men were able to enjoy a programme of carols and a dinner of turkey and plum pudding, paid for out of battalion funds and provided through the quartermasters from as far afield as Rouen.
The following description appears in the Official History of the Rifle Brigade, describing conditions in the Cameron Covert sub-sector, in December 1917.
Our position in the Cameron Covert sub-sector consisted of a number of isolated posts facing south-east, with a partially-constructed support line running behind the wood. In the wood itself and in the valley of the Polygonbeek were a number of old German concrete "pill-boxes" which we converted to our use as living-quarters. The posts overlooked the sodden valley of the Reutelbeek, and were under observation by the enemy from his position at Polderhoek Chateau, which was only 600 yards distant, and from which concealed snipers and machine-guns were unpleasantly active. Snow still lay on the ground, making movement on the forward slopes very difficult. The use of white suits for patrolling was effective, but this advantage was largely discounted by the noise of crashing ice as our men moved over the shell-holes in No Man's Land. While the ground remained frozen, progress in trench-improvement was slow, and when a thaw set in, the falling-in of the sides impeded drainage and involved much labour in the upkeep of the existing works. To mitigate, in some degree, the discomforts of the men in these conditions, parties of fifty were sent daily from the line to the Divisional Baths at Ypres for a thorough wash and a change of underclothing.
When the Brigade was in support or in reserve, work parties were charged with salvaging as much material as possible from the mud of the Salient. John would have participated in this work, retrieving rifles, harness, barbed-wire, clothing and so forth. Days were set aside for training only, which included organised sports and games. There were heavy snow-storms on Christmas Day and special duties were cancelled. The men were able to enjoy a programme of carols and a dinner of turkey and plum pudding, paid for out of battalion funds and provided through the quartermasters from as far afield as Rouen.
On 2 January 1918 the 1st Battalion in Cameron Covert was relieved by 3rd Otago, and moved to a position in the Albania Area, immediately north-west of the Butte, as battalion in support. They moved back to Cameron Covert on 8 January. A thaw set in on 9 January which turned the ground into a sea of mud making conditions extremely difficult in this sector. More snow fell in mid-January when the 1st Battalion went back into support in the Albania area, followed by another thaw.
Conditions were ideal for an outbreak of trench-foot – a painful inflammatory swelling which incapacitated the sufferer, and it was only due to preventative measures such as rubbing with whale-oil, frequent changes of socks and hot baths when possible, that minimised the number of cases. Each soldier had three pairs of socks and there were specially detailed “sockmen” making the rounds of the trenches every day, bringing in a pair for each man and taking a pair back to the laundry.
On 20 January the 1st Battalion went to Howe Camp for a short spell of comparative rest, recreation and general training. They were back in the line on 1 February. The Germans carried out heavy shelling on 2 February, the Brigade retaliated on 4 February and the Germans countered with a steady bombardment with “sneezing-gas” (Diphenyl chlorasine) on 5 February and a series of shell-storms on 7 February. On 7 & 8 February, the Brigade took over the sector up to the Broodseinde-Moorslede Road. During this action, on Friday, 8 February 1918, John was killed. John was one of 23 Rifle Brigade men killed in February 1918, with 92 wounded. John’s body was never found, and he therefore has no known grave, and is commemorated on the NZ Memorial in the Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood, Zannebeke, West Vlaaseren, Belguim.
His brother, Stephen was listed as his next of kin, with Stephen and another brother, Henry, being executors of his will. There are strong connections between Makara and Ohariu, so though John had lived and farmed in Ohariu all his life, when the Makara Memorial was erected John was one of the men named. Although John was not married and did not have any known children, his many brothers and sisters ensured there are generations of descendants, some of whom still live in the Makara/Ohariu/Johnsonville area.
While John was away he found time to post home shawls for his sister, Lilian May, and his sister-in-law, (Gertrude) May Bryant, nee Monaghan (Harry Monaghan’s sister, married to Arthur “Tip” Bryant). The wider family still have photos of these shawls and John is remembered with affection.
There are many Bryant family graves in the churchyard at Holy Trinity Church, Ohariu Valley, but no commemorative plaque or inscription for John Ernest.
Conditions were ideal for an outbreak of trench-foot – a painful inflammatory swelling which incapacitated the sufferer, and it was only due to preventative measures such as rubbing with whale-oil, frequent changes of socks and hot baths when possible, that minimised the number of cases. Each soldier had three pairs of socks and there were specially detailed “sockmen” making the rounds of the trenches every day, bringing in a pair for each man and taking a pair back to the laundry.
On 20 January the 1st Battalion went to Howe Camp for a short spell of comparative rest, recreation and general training. They were back in the line on 1 February. The Germans carried out heavy shelling on 2 February, the Brigade retaliated on 4 February and the Germans countered with a steady bombardment with “sneezing-gas” (Diphenyl chlorasine) on 5 February and a series of shell-storms on 7 February. On 7 & 8 February, the Brigade took over the sector up to the Broodseinde-Moorslede Road. During this action, on Friday, 8 February 1918, John was killed. John was one of 23 Rifle Brigade men killed in February 1918, with 92 wounded. John’s body was never found, and he therefore has no known grave, and is commemorated on the NZ Memorial in the Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood, Zannebeke, West Vlaaseren, Belguim.
His brother, Stephen was listed as his next of kin, with Stephen and another brother, Henry, being executors of his will. There are strong connections between Makara and Ohariu, so though John had lived and farmed in Ohariu all his life, when the Makara Memorial was erected John was one of the men named. Although John was not married and did not have any known children, his many brothers and sisters ensured there are generations of descendants, some of whom still live in the Makara/Ohariu/Johnsonville area.
While John was away he found time to post home shawls for his sister, Lilian May, and his sister-in-law, (Gertrude) May Bryant, nee Monaghan (Harry Monaghan’s sister, married to Arthur “Tip” Bryant). The wider family still have photos of these shawls and John is remembered with affection.
There are many Bryant family graves in the churchyard at Holy Trinity Church, Ohariu Valley, but no commemorative plaque or inscription for John Ernest.
[1] Bryant, James, Settler, Ohariu Valley. One of the oldest settlers of the band of pioneers who arrived in Port Nicholson in 1840, Mr. Bryant still survives hale and hearty, notwithstanding his great age. Born in Sharphan, Devonshire, England, in 1812, he became foreman gardener of Sir William Molesworth's estate at Pencarrow, Cornwall. Coming to New Zealand per ship “Duke of Roxburgh,” on which he acted as doctor's mate, he was for about two years employed as superintendent of Mr. Francis Molesworth's estate at the Hutt. For twenty years Mr. Bryant resided in the Hutt Valley, during which he laid out the gardens on Mr. Molesworth's property—now owned by Mr. Riddiford. He was eleven years in Mr. Ludlam's service, and laid out and planted his gardens—better known as “McNab's.” Afterwards he leased a large garden and orchard, but as he could not obtain the freehold. Mr. Bryant removed to Johnsonville, where he had an hotel for three years. In 1862 he settled in the Ohariu Valley, purchasing fifty-three acres of land, which he still holds. Shortly before embarking for New Zealand in 1839, Mr. Bryant was married to Miss Pollard, a native of Cornwall, who died in 1862, leaving six sons and four daughters—all married—of whom four sons and four daughters still survive. Mr. Bryant has forty-six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc01Cycl-t1-body-d4-d109.html
[2] Molesworth, F. A., was an original purchaser of several town and country sections by ballot in London, 1839, and arrived in New Zealand by the “Oriental” in 1840. He became one of the first agriculturists and pastoralists. His brother, Sir William Molesworth, (Bart.), was a director of the New Zealand Company, a colonising statesman, reformer and founder of the “London Review” 1835. At one of his speeches in England he referred to his interest in New Zealand partly owing to the fact that his brother Francis was one of the early colonists. The name of Molesworth is associated with Pencarrow, the family seat in Cornwall.
[3] Alfred Ludlam (1810 – 8 November 1877) was a leading New Zealand politician, horticulturist and farmer who owned land at Wellington and in the Hutt Valley. A member of three of New Zealand's four earliest parliaments, he was also a philanthropist and a founder of Wellington's Botanic Garden. He owned a substantial riverside farm at Waiwhetū, Lower Hutt, where he ran flocks of sheep and developed a reputation as an expert in horticulture. He had purchased the Waiwhetū farm from fellow pioneer Francis Molesworth in the mid-1840s, calling it Newry after his home town in Ireland. Ludlam built a large house at Newry in 1848, replacing the farm's first homestead. The farm also boasted an orchard, a spacious barn often used for public functions (such as an official dinner held there for the governor, Sir George Grey, in 1851) and a stone windmill that had been erected by Molesworth in 1845.
http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc01Cycl-t1-body-d4-d109.html
[2] Molesworth, F. A., was an original purchaser of several town and country sections by ballot in London, 1839, and arrived in New Zealand by the “Oriental” in 1840. He became one of the first agriculturists and pastoralists. His brother, Sir William Molesworth, (Bart.), was a director of the New Zealand Company, a colonising statesman, reformer and founder of the “London Review” 1835. At one of his speeches in England he referred to his interest in New Zealand partly owing to the fact that his brother Francis was one of the early colonists. The name of Molesworth is associated with Pencarrow, the family seat in Cornwall.
[3] Alfred Ludlam (1810 – 8 November 1877) was a leading New Zealand politician, horticulturist and farmer who owned land at Wellington and in the Hutt Valley. A member of three of New Zealand's four earliest parliaments, he was also a philanthropist and a founder of Wellington's Botanic Garden. He owned a substantial riverside farm at Waiwhetū, Lower Hutt, where he ran flocks of sheep and developed a reputation as an expert in horticulture. He had purchased the Waiwhetū farm from fellow pioneer Francis Molesworth in the mid-1840s, calling it Newry after his home town in Ireland. Ludlam built a large house at Newry in 1848, replacing the farm's first homestead. The farm also boasted an orchard, a spacious barn often used for public functions (such as an official dinner held there for the governor, Sir George Grey, in 1851) and a stone windmill that had been erected by Molesworth in 1845.