RYAN, Francis Joseph
| Service Number: | 3157 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 54th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia., 26 April 1895 |
| Home Town: | Goulburn, Goulburn Mulwaree, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Locomotive Cleaner |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 21 April 1918, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 3157, 2nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Warilda embarkation_ship_number: A69 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 3157, 2nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Warilda, Sydney | |
| 1 Jan 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 2nd Infantry Battalion, Promoted while on leave in the United Kingdom. | |
| 2 Jan 1918: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 54th Infantry Battalion, Promoted in France. | |
| 17 Apr 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Corporal, 3157, 54th Infantry Battalion, Wounded in action by gassing. Died of these wounds on 21st April 1918. | |
| 21 Apr 1918: | Involvement Corporal, 3157, 54th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3157 awm_unit: 54th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Corporal awm_died_date: 1918-04-21 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by John Oakes
Francis Joseph RYAN (Service Number 3157) was born on 26th April 1895 in Goulburn. He began working with the Railways on 2nd April 1914 as a cleaner at Goulburn Locomotive Depot. He remained in this position until 17th July 1915, when he was released from duty to enlist in the AIF. He was 20 when he enlisted. He embarked at Sydney on 8th October 1915, on HMAT A69 ‘Warilda’.
He was taken on strength at Tel-el-Kebir on 5th February 1916. After several months in Egypt, he embarked from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Forces on 19th June. He disembarked at Marseilles on 29th June. Six months later, he was granted leave, and went to the United Kingdom on 30th December 1916. During his leave period, he was promoted to Lance Corporal on 1st January 1917. On 14 January, he re-joined his unit.
Just under two months later, he was taken to hospital sick on 3rd March 1917. He was admitted in France for Influenza but was transferred to England two weeks later. Following his hospitalisation, he was granted furlough from 25th May to 9th June 1917. However, he was Absent Without Leave when he did not report to the Training Depot at Perham Downs on 9th June as he was supposed to. This crime resulted in him forfeiting four days’ pay.
After his stay in England, he proceeded overseas to France on 20th June 1917 and re-joined his unit on 1st August. On 2nd January 1918, he was promoted Temporary Corporal. Three months later, on 3rd April 1918, he was promoted to Corporal.
Just a few weeks later, he was wounded in action by gassing on 17th April 1918. He died of these gas-inflicted wounds very shortly after, on 21st April. He was buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, France.
Following his death, his father was sent some of his personal items. These included a metal cigarette case, religious books, and a notebook. His father also received the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal to commemorate his son’s service.
- based on the Australian War Memorial Honour Roll and notes for the Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board.