914 Gunner Francis
E Ryan was a patient at Hickwells in late 1915. His entry in Nurse Oliver’s
album reads:
May these be the
Worst of your days
Bombardier F E Ryan (419)
Head Quarter Staff
2nd West Lancs Bde.
R.F.A.
Blackpool
Lancs
Underneath this,
Nurse Oliver has written, “Now somewhere overseas”.
Francis Ryan was
a Territorial Force artilleryman. He misquotes his number as 419 when it should
have been 914. When the Territorial Force was renumbered in early 1917 he was
assigned the new number 840602. The 2nd West Lancs Brigade Royal Field Artillery later became 276 Brigade, RFA and from January 1916 it was one of
four RFA Brigades within The 55th (West Lancashire) Division. The following information is taken form Chris Baker’s website, The Long, Long
Trail:
The brigade remained in England when most of the rest of the division was broken up
to reinforce the BEF on the Western Front. It was attached to the 2nd Canadian Division and moved to France in October 1915. It rejoined
the original division in January 1916. Re-armed with modern equipment in England. Redesignated from I West Lancs in May 1915.
Francis Ryan’s
medal index card gives his rank as gunner rather than bombardier and also notes that his medals were returned. He was entitled to the British War and Victory Medals which suggests that he did not serve overseas until
1916.
During his time
at Hickwells he received a number of mentions in local newspapers which are reproduced below:
Sussex Daily News
Friday November 26th
1915
CONCERT AT CHAILEY
A successful concert was held in the Chailey Parish Room on Wednesday evening in aid of the building fund. The programme was composed mostly of items by the soldier patients of Hickwells Relief Hospital and, judging by the vociferous
encores, was much appreciated. A popular contribution seemed to be ‘Hickwells
Band’ which, though not very tuneful, was certainly responsible for plenty of fun.
Bombardier Ryan announced the items and gave an excellent comic song with
tambourine dance. Sergeant Sheppard gave some bugle calls of the British Army. Driver Bradley kept the audience in roars of laughter with his comic songs. Corporal Nash, Lance-Corporal Smith and Private Allen’s songs were much appreciated. The only civilian who took part was Mr Stone, who sang a couple of songs.
Sussex Express
November 26th 1915
ENTERTAINMENT - A most enjoyable entertainment was given in the Parish Room on Wednesday evening by a number
of the wounded soldiers in residence at Hickwells War Relief Hospital. The programme
was opened by Miss Sandford with a pianoforte solo, which was followed by a song, entitled “Ordered to the Fray”
by Mr H R Stone. Sergeant Nash next sang, “Somewhere in France” and “Till the
boys come home” was rendered by Sergeants Nash and Shepherd. Alexander’s
Rag Time Band next gave a spirited performance, the conductor of which, Bombardier Ryan, can be congratulated. Driver Bradley was deservedly
encored for his inimitable rendering of “My Beastly Eyeglass” and replied with a recitation, “The 11.69
Express”. He later gave “Christmas Bells” and in response to
an encore gave a humorous monologue, “The Single Hair”. Other items
were contributed by Private Jock Allan, who sang “For King and Country” and on being encored gave the song, “I
Love a Lassie”. Later he sang “Annie Laurie” and “Roamin
in the Gloamin”. Corporal Smith sang, “Somewhere a Voice Is Calling”
and sergeant Shepherd gave a variety of bugle calls. Bombardier Ryan with his
coon song sang “Oh Dem Golden Slippers”. Mr Stone followed with “To
the Front”. Bombardier Ryan acted as stage manager and his witticisms frequently
caused great laughter. The proceedings were brought to a close by a hearty vote
of thanks being recorded to the performers, which was proposed by Mr West.
Sussex Daily News
Friday December 3rd
1915
WOUNDED SOLDIERS ENTERTAIN THEIR FRIENDS AT CHAILEY
The soldiers at Hickwells Relief Hospital at Chailey were ‘at home’ to their friends
on Wednesday afternoon and by way of amusing them gave two excellent entertainments - one at 2:30 and the other at 4:30. The bugle called the performers together and when the screens were withdrawn a nice little group of waxworks
was disclosed, Bombardier Ryan shewing [sic] off their ‘beauties’
in his usual amusing way. Corporal Nash (as St George) and Private Allen sang
the ‘Tin Gee Gee’, Private Wise and Sergeant Calvert making two fascinating ‘Little Dolly Girls’. Rifleman Collins, still on crutches, made a splendid broken doll. Lance-Corporal Smith was a Japanese Lady, and, later on, although only having the use of one arm, cleverly
‘vamped’ some accompaniments. While dresses were being changed, Private
Hume and Private MacBride sang and danced, and then to the tune of ‘Here We Are Again’, Hickwells’ Pierrot
troupe appeared and gave a spirited entertainment. Driver Bradley and Private
Allen made excellent ‘Corner Men’ and Bombardier Ryan was capital
as the ‘Master of Ceremonies’. The troupe included, besides those
already mentioned, Sergeant Calvert, Sergeant Sheppard, Corporal Nash, Lance-Corporal Smith, Privates Wise and Holleran, Driver
Cleary and Corporal Dicks, many of whom sang and recited. Two of the nurses helped
at the piano
Sussex Express
December 3rd 1915 - Page 12
CONCERT AT HICKWELLS WAR RELIEF HOSPITAL - On Wednesday afternoon an enjoyable entertainment was given
by some of the wounded soldiers in residence at the above hospital. It opened
with a display of wax works exhibited by Mrs Jarley (otherwise Bombardier Ryan)
whose antics and jokes caused great laughter. The costumes of all were varied
and humorous. This was followed by a number of interesting items performed by
Bombardier Ryan, Private McBride, Sergeant Nash, Private Allan, Driver Bradley, Corporal Dicks and Gunner Hume. The parody on “The Village Blacksmith” by Driver Bradley and Private Allan and the song “Macnamara’s
Band” by Bombardier Ryan, were specially worthy of notice. Another performance was given later in the day.
Sources and Acknowledgements
· The National Archives: Medal Index Card
· The National Archives: British War and Victory Medal Roll: BW & V: Roll RFA/TF/149B Page 9826:
WO 329/239
· The Sussex Express
· The Sussex Daily News
· The Long, Long Trail website
