TOPIC:

On Tuesday Edward Van Ryne, 26, a blacksmith, of 12, Smarts-lane, Loughton, was advised to go home by his father, as his head was so bad. For a long time past he had complained of pains in the head. He had been through the South African war, and was shut up in Ladysmith. He was invalided home from Africa with enteric and sunstroke, which no doubt caused these pains. He was married only on Saturday last, and not coming home on Tuesday night search was made, and just by the reservoir, Ash-green, Loughton, the body was found on Wednesday morning with the head nearly cut off. The deceased was an ex-artilleryman.

At the inquest, on Thursday, it was stated that in deceased's right hand, tightly clenched, was an open razor. He worked with his father, who is well known and respected in Loughton. The young lady to whom he was married on Saturday had been engaged to him for six years. A young brother said that deceased complained of his head on Tuesday, and left him with the remark, "I will take a nice quiet walk round the Forest." - Verdict, "Suicide while temporarily insane."
The Essex Newsman, Saturday 11th June 1904

The Forest referred to would have been Epping Forest.

Edit - From Sir George White’s despatch, March 23, 1900: - The following have been brought to notice by general officers commanding, heads of departments, and officers commanding units: Manchester Regiment (1st Battalion)-Major J Watson; Captain A Marden; Lieutenant H Fisher; Sergeants M Gresty, E Grant, E Lloyd; Lance Corporals J M'Dowall, G Roberts; Privates R Scott, J Pitts, E Newton, A Horribin, D Coyle, A M Smith (dead), H Stones, E Van Ryne, E Biggins.

I am a bit stunned by all the deaths and suicides that have been noted on this Forum of late-obviously being a Victorian soldier was not all it was cracked up to be and war related stress is nothing new.

I get the impression that there was little or no support, other than a pension, for sick or maimed soldiers post-war.

(5047) E. Van Ryne appeared in the casualty list of January 6th 1900, as one of the casualties in the assault on Ladysmith.

His mother may have been named Alice, and an E. Van Ryne was still a Loughton resident in 1924.

Quite a number of heroes mentioned there including the Manchester's first Victoria Cross recipients.

BereniceUK wrote:

SHOCKING FATE AT LOUGHTON OF A LADYSMITH HERO.

THREE DAYS AFTER MARRIAGE.

On Tuesday Edward Van Ryne, 26, a blacksmith, of 12, Smarts-lane, Loughton, was advised to go home by his father, as his head was so bad. For a long time past he had complained of pains in the head. He had been through the South African war, and was shut up in Ladysmith. He was invalided home from Africa with enteric and sunstroke, which no doubt caused these pains. He was married only on Saturday last, and not coming home on Tuesday night search was made, and just by the reservoir, Ash-green, Loughton, the body was found on Wednesday morning with the head nearly cut off. The deceased was an ex-artilleryman.

At the inquest, on Thursday, it was stated that in deceased's right hand, tightly clenched, was an open razor. He worked with his father, who is well known and respected in Loughton. The young lady to whom he was married on Saturday had been engaged to him for six years. A young brother said that deceased complained of his head on Tuesday, and left him with the remark, "I will take a nice quiet walk round the Forest." - Verdict, "Suicide while temporarily insane."
The Essex Newsman, Saturday 11th June 1904

The Forest referred to would have been Epping Forest.

Edit - From Sir George White’s despatch, March 23, 1900: - The following have been brought to notice by general officers commanding, heads of departments, and officers commanding units: Manchester Regiment (1st Battalion)-Major J Watson; Captain A Marden; Lieutenant H Fisher; Sergeants M Gresty, E Grant, E Lloyd; Lance Corporals J M'Dowall, G Roberts; Privates R Scott, J Pitts, E Newton, A Horribin, D Coyle, A M Smith (dead), H Stones, E Van Ryne, E Biggins.

Frank Kelley wrote: Quite a number of heroes mentioned there including the Manchester's first Victoria Cross recipients.

So can it be said that Edward Van Ryne was officially "mentioned in despatches"?

Interested members
The Biggins book "Elandslaagte, Account and Medal Roll" shows him under 4th Manchesters, his medal bearing the clasps "Elandslaagte" and "Defence of Ladysmith" and marginal notation "Served with 1st Manchesters, invalided". He was MiD'd in Sir G.White's recommendations of 23/3/1900. It would appear he was "mentioned" for Wagon Hill.
I admit to going down a false trail with the newspaper article having him as an "artilleryman". Wonder where they got that from?
Regards
IL.