The AIF Project

William RYAN

Regimental number3244
Place of birthMelbourne, Victoria
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationUpholsterer
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Height5' 2"
Weight126 lbs
Next of kinFather, James Francis Ryan, 350 Graham Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria
Previous military serviceNil (previously rejected for enlistment on account of height)
Enlistment date3 July 1915
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name21st Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/38/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 18 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll60th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 19 July 1916
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 22), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
170
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength, 60th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 26 February 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Reported Missing, 19 July 1916.

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 4 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'.

Note, Red Cross File No 2390904: 'No trace Germany[.] Cert. by Capt. Mills 10-10-19.'

Statement, 4612 Pte J.A. THYNE, 60th Bn (patient, 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, England), 27 September 1916: 'Came from Port Melbourne at Fleurbaix on 19th July - in the charge - was wounded or killed - and fell into the Creek - I saw his body, I knew him - was in the same Company.'

Second statement, 3089 Pte A.W. CRAIG, B Company, 60th Bn (patient, 1st Southern General Hospital, Birmingam, England), 2 January 1917: 'Informant states that about 3 weeks after 19th July 1916 at Fleurbaix near Armentieres I found the dead body of Wm. Ryan in No Man's Land, and I there buried him. I knew him well because he came from Port Melbourne. He had no identification disc and no possessions upon him.'

Third statement, 2804A Pte F. SHELLART, B Company, 60th Bn, 30 March 1917: 'This man was killed at Fleurbaix on July 19th 1916. A portion of high explosive shell passed through the body from the back and killed him instantly. An important attack was being made at the time, but the ground was lost. I saw Ryan lying in a gutter between the lines. This was full of water. I lifted him out and placed him on dry land. I do not know where he was buried.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsFather's initials incorrectly entered on Embarkation Roll as J.P.
SourcesNAA: B2455, RYAN William
Red Cross File No 2390904

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