| Accession Number | P02939.047 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white, Portrait |
| Physical description | Black & white, Portrait |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of Private (Pte) John Ryan VC, 55th Battalion. Pte Ryan was awarded the Victoria ...
Description
Studio portrait of Private (Pte) John Ryan VC, 55th Battalion. Pte Ryan was awarded the Victoria Cross for "most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty" on 30 September 1918 in France. During an attack Pte Ryan dashed forward and was one of the first to reach the enemy trenches, helping to overcome and occupy the trench. As the enemy counter attacked with a bombing party, Pte Ryan organised and led the men near him to attack the enemy party killing three Germans, he then rushed the remainder of the enemy on his own, being wounded as he drove the enemy back across No Man's Land. He returned to Australia in September 1919 and was discharged on 10 January 1920. He died of pneumonia on 3 June 1941.