John Thomas Ryle
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1873 |
| Place of Birth | Manchester, Lancashire, England |
| Death | 22 Nov 1950, aged 77 |
| Place of Death | South Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 43 years, 4 months |
| Description |
127lbs 57.606 kg ; fresh complexion ; grey eyes ; brown to grey hair |
| Occupation | Locomotive driver |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | East Cannington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Milbrew Maud Mina Ryle |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 954 |
| Date of Enlistment | 15 Jan 1917 |
| Rank | Lance Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 5th Australian Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 Jan 1917 ‒ 27 Mar 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A28 Miltiades Fremantle to Devonport |
| Date of Return | 28 Oct 1918 ‒ 16 Dec 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Sardinia Fremantle to Adelaide by rail |
| Fate | Returned to Australia (medical) |
| Monument | none at present |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
John married Milbrew Maude Minnie Hawkins 1899 in Boulder, Western Australia. Children: Emily Elizabeth Hawkins Ryle (1900); Josephine Alberta Hawkins Ryle (1903); and Richard John Hawkins Ryle (1905).
Electoral Roll entries: 1912 - 1913 at 62 Glyde street, East Fremantle, engine driver; 1916 Wooroloo, engine driver; 1917 Clackline, engine driver;
War Service
Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 15 Jan 1917 as part of the special recruitment of men qualified for the Railway Corps. Other physical requirements were relaxed. Promoted 2nd Corporal (Fireman) on 19 Jan 1917, he embarked with the rest of the draft on 29 Jan 1917.
On arrival in England they were sent to undertook specialist training at St Lucia Barracks at Borden from 27 Mar 1917, before proceeding overseas to France through Southampton on 11 May 1917.
John was on 3 Apr 1918 detached to the British 45th Siege Battery, which consisted of two 9.2 inch (234mm) railway guns. Possibly the cause of his future hearing problems. He returned to the 5th Australian Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company on 13 Apr 1918. From 15 Apr until 18 May 1918 he was detached to the British 264th Company, Royal Engineers.
John reported to Hospital on 19 Jun 1918, with hearing issues, and on 1 Jul 1918 John returned to the UK from Rouelles in France. Three months later it was decided to return John to Australia as a result of deafness. On 26 Sep 1918 he was charged with "neglect of duty in that after being detailed, he failed to keep fatigue party together and to clean up a hedge adjacent to company lines. Reprimanded.
John was discharged at the 4th Military District (South Australia) on 15 Oct 1919 at his wife's request. While John was overseas, his wife had moved back to Adelaide
Post War
Milbrew died on 1 Sep 1938.
Electoral Roll entries: 1939 - 1943 at 45 Ivy street, Ottaway, engine driver
Notes
For the story of John's unit on the Western front see "The Cold Footed Mob - A history of the 5th Australian Broad Gauge Railway operating Company" by Tom Goode, Hesperian Press, published 2016.
John is not listed on the Canning, Wattle Grove or Kalamunda Honour Rolls.