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.'