John Ryan (Australian soldier)

Leading counterattacks, he drove enemy bombers from trenches

John Ryan, whose full name was Edward John Francis Ryan, was born at Tumut, New South Wales, on 9 February 1890. He was the son of Michael Ryan, a labourer, and Eugenie, née Newman, and attended the local Roman Catholic school. A labourer himself, he enlisted at Wagga Wagga in December 1915 and took part in the Kangaroos recruiting march to Sydney.

He sailed for overseas service in April 1916 and joined the 55th Battalion in France that September, after time in Egypt. In 1917 he also served with an Anzac light railway unit. On 30 September 1918, during the attack on the Hindenburg Line near Bellicourt, his battalion captured a trench but an enemy party established itself behind the Australians. Ryan organised a small group to attack the bombers. Using bombs and bayonets, they drove the enemy out and restored the security of the position. Ryan was wounded during the action.

King George V presented his Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace on 22 May 1919. Complications from his wound delayed his return to Australia, and he was discharged at Sydney in January 1920.

Civilian life brought insecure employment and travel in search of work across New South Wales and Victoria. He worked for a time for Mildura council and later in an insurance office in Melbourne. Unmarried, he died of pneumonia at the Royal Melbourne Hospital on 3 June 1941. He was buried with military honours in the Roman Catholic section of Springvale Cemetery. His Victoria Cross and campaign medals are held by the Australian War Memorial.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during an attack against the Hindenburg defences on 30th September, 1918. In the initial assault on the enemy’s positions Pte. Ryan went forward with great dash and determination, and was one of the first to reach the enemy trench. His exceptional skill and daring inspired his comrades, and, despite heavy fire, the hostile garrison was soon overcome and the trench occupied. The enemy then counter-attacked, and succeeded in establishing a bombing party in the rear of the position. Under fire from front and rear, the position was critical, and necessitated prompt action. Quickly appreciating the situation, he organised and led the men near him with bomb and bayonet against the enemy bombers, finally reaching the position with only three men. By skilful bayonet work, his small party succeeded in killing the first three Germans on the enemy’s flank, then, moving along the embankment, Pte. Ryan alone rushed the remainder with bombs. He fell wounded after he had driven back the enemy, who suffered heavily as they retired across “No Man’s Land.”. A particularly dangerous situation had been saved by this gallant soldier, whose example of determined bravery and initiative was an inspiration to all.

Supplement to The London Gazette of 24 December 1918. 26 December 1918, Numb. 31082, p. 15119.