John Ryan

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

RYAN, John. (reg No. 1093).

Private. 55th Battalion. * Australian Imperial Force.

London Gazetted on 26th December, 1918.

VC Medal's Custodian is the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.

Born in February 1890 at Tumut, New South Wales, Australia.

Died on 3rd June 1941 at Melbourne, Australia.

Memorial on grave at Springvale Cemetery, Melbourne, and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.

Digest of Citation reads: Private Ryan went forward with great courage and determination on 30th September 1918, during an attack on the Hindenburg defences. In the first attack, he was one of the first to reach the enemy trench and despite heavy firing, he amazed his comrades with his skill and daring, and soon, the enemy garrison was defeated and the trench occupied. The Germans succeeded, after a counter-attack, in establishing a bombing party to their rear. Now under fire from both, front and rear, in order to maintain this critical position, prompt action was necessary. Private Ryan, weighing up the situation, organised and led a party of men, against the enemy bombers, and by using bomb and bayonet he finally reached his objective with only three men. By skilful use the bayonet, the small party killed the first three Germans on the flank, then moved along the Embankment. Private Ryan, with the remainder of the bombs, rushed alone against the enemy. He was wounded after he had driven back the enemy, who, as they retired across no man's land, suffered heavily. There was no doubt that Private Ryan had saved a most dangerous situation.

* New South Wales.