49355 Sapper Thomas Willoughby Dryden, 22/9/1894-14/3/1918.

Thomas Dryden grew up on Duke Street in North Dunedin.  He was a bricklayer, working for his father, when he found his name on the call-up list on the 14th of February of 1917 so I suppose it was logical that he was eventually enrolled in the New Zealand engineers.  

He attended the send-off for the Otago portion of the 27th Reinforcements on March 8th at the Kensington Army HQ.  180 men listened to a short speech from Colonel E R Smith, followed by a few more which were reported thus:

"Colonel Smith said he had seen every reinforcement away from Dunedin except one, and by this time had expended all his 'dont's.'" He would sum it all up in two words to them — "Keep fit." If the Germans had any idea that the furthest outpost of the Empire could, at this stage of the war, send away such a fine, strapping lot of men, it would give them something more to think about — (Applause.) He referred to a few unfortunate lads who had set out with the fullest intention of doing all they could for the Empire, but had been unable to get beyond Trentham, owing to broken health, and their hopes had ended in severe disappointment. He reminded the men that each, from the youngest to the oldest, possessed his own will power, and he urged them to retain full control and not be led into trouble. In conclusion. Colonel Smith stated that the Territorials were now mostly lads of 18 or 19, and on behalf of that force he wished the reinforcement every success in their training, journeying, and campaigning, and finally a safe return to this side of Taiaroa Heads. — (Applause.)

"Mrs Macfie addressed the men on behalf of Miss Downie Stewart (president of the Otago and Southland Women's Patriotic Association). She said that the men were the living answer to Britain's call to her sons to come forth to make a combined and gigantic effort to crush and eternally cripple the enemies of civilisation. They were proof that our enthusiasm had not cooled, nor our determination weakened to carry on to an honourably victorious finish this unprecedented world struggle. Every one of us must unite and respond with all our hearts in doing and giving whatever was needed to bring victory. With the good help of the men of the Empire, Europe would never belong to Germany. The issue lay in the hand of God, who was a moral ruler, and on the side of the people whose cause was just. The men who were about to depart had for their ideals the historic and immortal achievements of those who had gone before them, and the women had no doubt that the men would regard the solemn trust as a stern duty, and to keep untarnished the glorious record of New Zealand's sons. — (Applause.)

— Miss Stewart, who was absent through the persistent indisposition of her soldier brother, had deputed her to convey the association's wishes for the best of luck all along the line, and to wish the men what they trusted was but "au revoir," and also to say that each one of them would receive a field kit on board the transport and a dominion parcel every month after arrival at their destination, the latter containing foodstuffs, smokes, etc., also disinfected muslin shirts, which would wage war on the animal life. Lastly, the hon. secretary (Miss Jean Burt) had made arrangements with the War Contingents' Association in London whereby they would receive a change of day and underwear when they were on furlough in England. All these were gifts from the women and children of Otago and Southland.—(Applause.)— The speaker advised the men to keep in close touch by letter with their good mothers, wives, and all loved ones, and to let their sweet memories be ever a safeguard when temptation assailed their path, remembering that their own and all other women, were daily working and praying for their speedy and safe return. —(Applause.) On the conclusion of Mrs Macfie's speech, the men gave hearty cheers for the Women's Association.

Then it was the Mayor's turn, and it's possible that his speech was more for the public than the troops... 

"The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr J. J. Clark) said the presence of so many citizens was evidence of their desire to honor the men who were going to fight. He assured the men that they were leaving the city with the confidence of the people that they would worthily uphold the honor of New Zealand and bring added lustre to the glorious name of the men from under the Southern Cross. The far-flung Empire was united and filled with a mighty determination that no matter what the cost there could be only one end to the war, and that was the absolute overthrow of Kaiserdom, with a complete victory for Britain and her Allies. Victory could only be gained by the heroic self-sacrifice and magnificent power of our fighting men. The men they were farewelling that day would show they were possessed of the same heroic strong courage as the men of Anzac. Our object must be to so demolish Germany that she would never again be a menace to the world and attack us in the battle for commercial supremacy. Not only to-day, but long after the victory was won on the battlefield, had we to do our share in keeping Germany out of our Empire. The public must let Parliament see that legislation was required that would make it impossible for the antiBritish Britisher to import or sell German goods into this dominion. We knew that there were people who would forget all patriotism when profit was to be made, and buy the goods of our cruel foes if they could procure them a little cheaper. What was the use of our men going to fight Germany if those who stayed behind were not prepared to do their part and prevent Germany, when the war was over, from taking the trade from our own Empire. 

"Men of Otago and Southland," said the Mayor, in conclusion, "we wish you God-speed in your mission. The glorious achievements of the men of the Silver Fern and Golden Wattle have written deep in the annals of our nation a story of valour and magnificent exploits that will rank among the glories of our Empire. Anzac is the coping-stone of Imperialism. I am certain that you men of the 27th will match the heroism of those comrades of yours who have done such famous work for the nation. We wish you God-speed and good luck, and a safe and speedy return to our land to receive the welcome you will have earned. — (Loud Applause.) 

Chaplain-major Gray said the men who were departing that day had been called on to defend their hearths and their homes. It was their duty not only to prevent Britain from being conquered, but to defend New Zealand, and to prevent this fair land, where we had enjoyed so much peace and plenty, from falling as a prize into the hands of the aggressor. The infamous deeds, the barbarity, and the cruelty of the enemy, who had respected neither the infirmity of old age nor the feebleness of childhood, nor the sanctity of woman — had desecrated churches, and violated all that Christians held sacred — had made the name of Germany to stink in the nostrils of humanity. The men who had gone already had been greater history makers. The history of their deeds in this war would be read with thrilling hearts and glorying pride by generations of New Zealanders yet unborn, and men and women in all parts of the world a century hence would trace their lineage for one drop of blood that would link them on to the heroes of Anzac or of the Somme. The men might rest assured that hundreds of thousands would pray for them. The speaker concluded by saying: "Be true to your own higher instincts. Try to follow the voice of conscience, and avoid everything that you would be ashamed to speak of when you return, and may you all return more than conquerors through Him that loved you." 

The departing soldiers were then marched on to the station, and'the train left at the appointed time, the men being enthusiastically cheered as they went away. Lieut. S. S. George and Sergeant-major Reeves were in charge of the men on the train.  - Otago Daily Times, 9/3/1917.

"led into trouble" - "a safeguard when temptation assailed their path" - "avoid everything that you would be ashamed to speak of when you return" - the more genteel readers of the Otago Daily Times in 1917 might have their ideas of what was alluded to in those veiled phrases.  But Army authorities were estimating that about 7000 NZ men were catching one or another kind of venereal disease each year of the War - beginning with their visits to the "native quarter" of Cairo on their arrival in Egypt in 1914.  The problem of diseased soldiers, and what to do with them when war was over and there were fewer polite reasons not to release them into New Zealand society, became a difficult one after November 1918.

Dryden family grave, Northern Cemetery, Dunedin

Thomas' unit, the 1st Field Company of the NZ Engineers was employed in the New Zealand sector of Flanders, preparing for the expected German attack.  Three defensive lines were planned, to enable the Germans to be held up while reinforcements were deployed.  Strong and permanent field emplacements were made for the artillery, with equally strong rear positions made for the heavy units for retirement and redeployment in the event of an enemy breakthrough.  Observation and command posts were made and telephone wires laid.  The Engineers worked hard and there was much work for them to do.  It was a race against time and the enemy.

In January, 1918 and also in March, German long-range heavy artillery - thought to be borrowed from or operated by the German Navy - began to do damage behind the British lines.  It is possible that Sapper Dryden was seriously wounded by a shell from one of these guns.  He was taken by stretcher bearers of the No. 1 Australian Field Ambulance to a casualty clearing station where he died.

"Died of wounds Mar. 18.1918 wnd head comp fract" is the note on Thomas' record.  A compound skull fracture.  It was a common practice in wartime for a dead man's mates to tell his nearest and dearest that their loved one died without pain - no matter what they had seen and heard of his dying agonies.  In the case of Thomas Willoughby Dryden, it would likely have been the truth.