| Regimental number | 5340 |
| Place of birth | Dundee, Scotland |
| School | Morgan Academy School, Dundee, Scotland |
| Age on arrival in Australia | 19 |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Farm labourer |
| Address | Narromine Post Office, Narromine, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 27 |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs E S Dryden, Fruiterer, Dundee, Scotland |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Dubbo, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 17th Battalion, 14th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/34/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 17th Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal Work near Westhoek on 20 September 1917. Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Died of wounds |
| Place of death or wounding | Amiens, France |
| Age at death | 29 |
| Place of burial | Vignacourt British Cemetery (Plot VI, Row A, Grave No. 14), France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 82 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: William Ellis and Elizabeth Spence DRYDEN, 6 Nelson Terrace, Dundee, Scotland |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the operations on 20th September 1917 near WESTHOEK. he displayed a most wonderful courage and coolness. he was in charge of 4 Lewis Guns and kept them working all the time. Being short of men he never left his gun, and had no sleep throughout. His guns inflicted many casualties on the enemy. His coolness and splendid cheerfulness under all circumstances kept his men together and filled them with confidence.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |