Victor Alfred Ryall

Story:
Victor Alfred Ryall was born on 14th February, 1896 in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was baptised there on 26th April, 1896. He was the son of William Ryall, a bricklayer journeyman, and Eleanor Goodman Ryall (née Goodman). His brother Sydney John (b.1898) also served in the First World War with the Dorsetshire Regiment. At the time of the 1911 Census Victor was single, working as a farm labourer and living at 15 Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted in Shaftesbury and joined the 3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 11202). He later transferred to the 17th (County of London Battalion) (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) of the London Regiment (new Service No. 6085) and at the time of his death held the rank of Lance Corporal. He served in France & Flanders from 13 July 1915 with both regiments (latterly with the 17th Battalion of the London Regiment) and was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He was killed in action on 15th September 1916 and was buried at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France (grave id. XII.B.24). He is remembered on the Compton Abbas War Memorial, Shaftesbury. His mother was awarded a dependent's pension but regrettably died on 8 July 1918 when it reverted to Victor's father.