William ‘Leo’ Bryant - Remembered now and for always.
Published on May 13, 2022
While at war, Leo had sent special embroidered messages made by French women to his mother in Manakau. Another momento close to the family’s heart is a locket that Josephine wore around her neck after the war with a portrait of Leo on the one side and his brother Frank on the other.
Leo, who was working for his parents, William and Josephine Bryant, on their farm in Manakau, died on 16 June 1917 at age 21 from severe injuries sustained on the battlefield.
Leo’s brother Frank died a year later at age 19. Three years later, Leo’s dad William died, leaving Josephine and Johnny - who served in World War II.
Leo has a headstone in France at the Commonwealth War Commissions Cemetery at Trois Arbres, Steenwerck. Several of Leo’s family members have visited this small country cemetery across the railway line, like in Manakau.
Reported in the Levin Chronicle
31 October 1916
A public send-off to Private Leo Bryant under the auspices of the Manakau Patriotic Society was held at the Manakau Parish Hall the other night. The popularity of the guest of the evening, coupled with the fact that it was known that District Nurse Lewis would be present, accounted for the large attendance, the building being too small to accommodate those present. Reference was made to the fact that no less than four Manakau, men Messrs Bacchus Bros, Kirkley and D’Ath had been reported killed in action since their last meeting.
All men they could ill afford to lose.