Martin was the younger brother of 5883 Pte William Ryan, R.A.M.C. He attested on the 7th March 1912, and is believed to have followed William into service. Martin first joined the Irish Guards, service number 4074 - he was 18 years and 4 months old, and a hotel assistant waiter at the time. On 13th March he was posted to Caterham, however, he transferred to the R.A.M.C. three months later - on 21st June. He did his training at Aldershot, which included nursing duties, and passed on 27th September 1912. On 9th September 1914, Martin entered the war in France attached to the 6th Divisional Ammunition Column. He transferred to serve with the 16th Field Ambulance, joining them in the field, on 18th February 1915. On the 21st April 1916, he was admitted into his unit suffering from Myalgia and then 5 days later was sent to 6 Divisional Rest Station, where he rested until 2nd May when he was discharged back to his unit. Four days later, Martin was re-admitted suffering again with Myalgia, but this time was transferred back through the casualty chain to 23 General Hospital at Etaples. He was discharged from hospital on 16th June but sent to convalesce at 6 Convalescent Depot until 30th August, when he joined Base Details at Rouen. On 18th September 1916, Martin reported for duty in the field with the 112th Field Ambulance. He was admitted into his unit on 25th October 1916, diagnosed PUO (Pyrexia of unknown origin), and was again transferred down the casualty chain, being admitted into No 13 Stationary Hospital at Boulogne on 3rd November. He was discharged from hospital on the 27th November but sent to convalesce at No 1 Convalescence Depot. On 22nd February 1917 he re-joined Base Details at Rouen and on 30th March 1917 reported for duty, in the field, with No 4 Ambulance Train. He served with this unit until 26th November, when he re-joined Base Details at Rouen and was then posted to serve in Italy. He joined the 71st Field Ambulance on 13th December 1917 and remained with this unit until the end of the war - excluding leave and a short spell in hospital suffering with Influenza (23rd October - 12th November 1918). On 10th February 1919, he was struck of strength of the Italian Expeditionary Force on proceeding to England for demobilization, and was transferred to Section �B� Army Reserve on demobilization on 18th March 1919. In August 1920, whilst serving on Reserve, Martin was issued a new service number - 7246900. Martin�s character certificate, dated 1921, describes his character as "Good. He is honest, trustworthy and hard working". He re-enlisted into the army on the 26th February 1935, serving with the Lincoln's Inns of Court Territorial Regiment, under the rank of Trooper. He was discharged on the 25th February 1939. [Information sources: MIC, 1914 Medal Roll, service record and Martin�s family (photograph kindly provided by Martin�s family)]