Lieutenant Colonel E.J.W. Ryan
102nd (British Columbia) Battalion

When wounds compelled my temporary retirement you exhibited the same fine qualities of patience, obedience and endurance under the command in turn of my second, Major (now Lieut.-Colonel) E.J. Ryan, D.S.O. So many changes in command might well have taxed the discipline of older troops than you, but to the everlasting credit of the 102nd Battalion you gave each and all a full measure of confidence and devotion.
(Lt. Col. Lister, address to 102nd, 25 May 1919)
A building contractor in Vancouver, Edward John Wilson Ryan was born in Mille Isle, Quebec on 7 September 1884. He enlisted with the 121st Battalion as a captain in December 1915. After a promotion to major, he went on an instruction tour of the front with the 102nd Battalion in October 1916. He was retained for service in France and later became the unit’s second in command.