“DEATH OF TROOPER D. RYAN. Trooper D. Ryan, of the First Contingent, youngest son of Mr. Denis Ryan, J.P., of Tawa Flat, who arrived by the Tokomaru on Friday invalided from South Africa, and an account of whose reception at Porirua and Tawa Flat we published yesterday, died at 3 o'clock this morning. The cause of death was diabetes, contracted from exposure and hardships undergone while in South Africa. Though among the First New Zealanders to arrive at the Cape, Ryan saw very little fighting, the only time he was under fire being at the actions at and around Arundel. Shortly after this he was taken ill, and has since been in hospital at the Cape and in England. On the voyage out Ryan was the subject of special medical treatment. Knowing the critical state of his health, Ryan's greatest anxiety has all along been get home and see his friends. He was in the best of spirits on his arrival, and kept bright until Sunday night, when a sudden change for the worse set in, culminating in has death this morning. Ryan was one of the first members of the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles, and on Sunday he spent the best part of the day with Trooper Young, another Heretaunga man, who was invalided back from South Africa some time ago. Ryan is, with the permission of the Defence authorities, to be given a military funeral on Thursday afternoon. The Heretaunga Rifles will form the guard of honour at the funeral obsequies.” [Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 104, 30 October 1900, Page 6]