The AIF Project

William James RYAN

Regimental number3207
Place of birthHorton Queensland
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationPorter
AddressToowoomba, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Next of kinFather, John James Ryan, Fitzgibbon Street, Toowoomba, Queensland
Enlistment date18 August 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name25th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/42/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A50 Itonus on 30 December 1915
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll7th Trench Mortar Battery
FateReturned to Australia 8 April 1919
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Plaque in Queensland Garden of Remembrance
Medals

Military Medal

'During the whole of the operations from 8th August, to 3rd October, 1918, this N.C.O. has been of the greatest value to his Battery. He has displayed great courage and remarkable initiative at all times. in the attack on the BEAUREVOIR Line on 3rd October, 1918, Corporal RYAN was in charge of two crews of the Light Trench Mortar Battery. He personally went ahead with the attacking infantry, under very heavy fire, and reconnoitred positions for his mortars. He then returned to his crews and guided them to the selected positions, later rendering great assistance to the infantry with the fire of his mortars. Again on 2nd September, 1918, in the attack on MONT ST. QUENTIN, east of AMIENS, this N.C.O. was in charge of two crews, and although two of his men were wounded, he succeeded in getting his mortars into position, and successfully bombed two enemy machine gun posts which were holding up the infantry, thus enabling the advance to continue.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 135
Date: 11 December 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death5 October 1958

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