Jan 18, 1887

Born in Louth Township, Lincoln County, Ontario to James Henry and Carrie Alberta (nee Honsberger) Ryckman

Dec 4, 1915

Attested into the 81^st Battalion CEF in St. Catharines, Ontario

Ø  Number 157145

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. JH Ryckman, mother, RR #3, St. Catharines, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Apr 28, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

May 6, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent

May 12, 1916

Transferred to the Brigade Machine Gun Section of the 36^th Battalion at West Sandling

Jun 23, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Machine Gun Depot at West Sandling

Aug 24, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Aug 25, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 477 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Aug 28, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Ryckman joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Zouafques, France

Sep 15, 1917

The 21^st Battalion was assigned the objective of the sugar refinery held by the Germans south of Courcelette, France as their part in the battle of the Somme.  It was the first time that the new tanks were used by the allies in combat.  The refinery was strongly defended by the enemy and used as a headquarters.  The battalion suffered heavy casualties including Private Ryckman.  He was initially buried by his comrades in a field near the jumping off point but when the war ended, his identifiable remains could not be located.  His name was subsequently shown on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France for those killed during the war in France and have no known grave.

 
Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. C Ryckman, 41 York St., St. Catharines, Ontario

 
The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, JH Ryckman, at the same address

 
Webster George Ryckman is also remembered on a family headstone in the Maple Lawn Cemetery, St. Catharines, Ontario