War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked Sydney, 9 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 11 December 1915.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 16 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916.

Reported missing, 20 July 1916.

Unofficially reported Prisoner of War by British Red Cross Society (no date shown).

Note on Form B103: 'Identity Disc received from Germany. No particulars were afforded except that Soldier was deceased. May now be reported "KILLED IN ACTION" 20/7/16.'

German report, 2 August 1916: 'austr. Sold. Ryan, D.B. 30. Batt. Nr. 743. am 19.7 in Gegend Fromelles gefallen.'

Red Cross File No 2390305 has statement from 300 Pte J. STEER, 30th Bn (patient, No 4 Australian General Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales), 17 October 1917: 'I knew Pte Ryan ... He was killed at Fleurbaix by a shell in the charge. It was in No Man's Land just after we went over. We were in the front line. I know that he was buried with all those who were killed.'

Note on file: 'The above name appeared on German death list dated 4-11-16.'

Second statement, 759 Pte F. SCHOLES, C company, 30th Bn, 18 June 1917: 'Saw his body lying in No Man's Land at Fromelles. Am quite certain about it ... We were in same Pl. No. 9 of C. Coy. His burial is very uncertain.'

Note on file: 'Identity disc received from Germany and despatched to Next of Kin 20.6.17.'

Originally listed as 'No Known Grave' and commemorated at V.C. Corner (Panel No 2), Australian Cemetery, Fromelles; subsequently (2011) identified, and interred in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, France.