William Charles Ryan

William Charles Ryan was from Wellington and joined the Audit Department in February 1908. By the outbreak of WW1, he had attained the position of Audit Examiner, Class VII. He had passed the Senior Civil Service Examination.

On 27 August 1914, aged 24, William joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force with the rank of Sergeant. On 16 October 1914, he was sent to Cairo and served in the Pay Section, New Zealand Expeditionary Force Headquarters. William was promoted to the rank of Honorary Lieutenant from February 1916.

In June 1916, he was sent to work in the London Pay Office of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant in October 1916, and in November 1916 went back to work at the New Zealand Expeditionary Force Headquarters in Egypt. In August 1917, he was sent to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force Headquarters in London.

In September 1918, William became ill and was sent to Walton Hospital in Sussex. He was later assessed as unfit for general service. It appears that, at some stage in his overseas service and possibly after serving in Egypt, he contracted a serious illness.

William returned to New Zealand in December 1918 and was discharged from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on 28 April 1920. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.

He rejoined the Audit Department, as an Audit Examiner, Class VI, but left several years later.

William died on 28 May 1974.