Service Details
- Branch of Service
- Army
- Conflict
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Date of Enlistment
- 30/04/1941
- Date of Discharge
- 03/07/1946
- Place of Enlistment
- Canberra ACT
Personal Details
- Gender
- Male
- Date of Birth
- 27/02/1915
- Place of Birth
- Eden NSW
- Address (at enlistment)
- Kingston Guest House, Kingston ACT
- Occupation
- Transport driver
- Next of Kin
- John Ryan (father), Carp Street, Bega NSW
Unit and Rank Details
- Service Number
- N242528
- Final Rank
- Lance Corporal
- Final Unit
- 36 Australian Infantry Battalion
Notes
Ryan joined the 3rd Battalion (militia) in camp on 23 December 1941 and appointed a Lance Corporal in January 1942. Along with other members of the battalion, he arrived in Port Moresby in late May 1942 and entered the Kokoda Track as part of Maroubra Force on 5 September 1942. He fought with 3 Battalion against the Japanese at Imita Ridge, Ioribaiwa, Templetons Crossing and Oivi before falling ill with mumps while at Gona. He refused to enlist in the AIF when 3 Battalion was disbanded and joined the 36th Battalion (another militia unit) in May 1943. He returned to Port Moresby in July 1943 and served in New Guinea on his second tour until 26 August 1944. Ryan transferred to the 2nd Ordnance Depot in March 1945.
Description - height 5 feet 11.5 inches, green eyes, medium complexion, brown hair, Presbyterian.
Sources
WWII Nominal Roll http://www.ww2roll.gov.au
NAA RecordSearch - Series B884 (Citizen's Military Forces Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947)