Regimental number | 3244 |
Place of birth | Melbourne, Victoria |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Occupation | Upholsterer |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 19 |
Height | 5' 2" |
Weight | 126 lbs |
Next of kin | Father, James Francis Ryan, 350 Graham Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria |
Previous military service | Nil (previously rejected for enlistment on account of height) |
Enlistment date | |
Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 21st Battalion, 7th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/38/2 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 60th Battalion |
Fate | Killed in Action |
Place of burial | No known grave |
Commemoration details | V.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 details | Father's initials incorrectly entered on Embarkation Roll as J.P. |
Sources | NAA: B2455, RYAN William
Red Cross File No 2390904 |