18-year-old Percy John Evans died on 9th September 1918 whilst training at Hastings as a cadet with the Squadron Cadet Wing, Royal Air Force.
4th September 1918
Captain Joseph Oscar Muntz, aged 42, died of wounds on 4th September 1918 whilst serving with B Company, 16th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Born in Tanworth-in-Arden in 1876, Oscar, as he was known, was the youngest child of George Frederick Muntz (1822-1898) of Umberslade Hall and his second wife Sara Matilda (née Kell) who had married at Edgbaston in February 1866. The couple had six children following the death of his first wife Marianne Lydia (née Richardson) in 1864. There were also eight children from the first marriage.
3rd September 1918
Private Frank Bryan died on 3rd September 1918 whilst serving in France with the 1st Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry.
He was born on 16th May 1887 although some sources suggest he was born in Oxfordshire, and others indicate he was born in Brailes, Warwickshire. It looks as if his mother, Hannah (sometimes recorded as Annie) married Frank Pratt in 1889.
By 1911, he was a gardener boarding in Dorridge Cottages, Knowle with the family of Alfred Marshall, landscape gardener.
It seems that he enlisted in December 1917. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Roll gives his mother as Hannah, 15 George Road, Hay Mills.
Frank Bryan died as a result of enemy action and is buried at Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France. He is commemorated in the Soldiers’ Chapel, Knowle.
If you have any further information, please let us know.
Tracey
Heritage & Local Studies Librarian
tel.: 0121 704 6977
email: heritage@solihull.gov.uk
2nd September 1918
Private James Walter Brampton, 4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, died on 2nd September 1918, aged 26. He was married with one daughter, Phyllis Maud (1915-1997).
1st September 1918
Two local men lost their lives on 1st September 1918 whilst on active service. Private Hubert John Draper was serving with 4th Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) whilst Private Frank George England was with the Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) attached to the 1st/20th Battalion, London Regiment.