RYAN, William
| Service Number: | 183 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 January 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Division Signals |
| Born: | North Adelaide, South Australia, 28 December 1884 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Sisters of St Joseph Convent School Macclesfield, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Influenza, Adelaide, South Australia, 26 June 1922, aged 37 years |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (General) Roman Catholic, West Ground, Row D, Plot 82 |
| Memorials: | Marion District Roll of Honour WW1 |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Jan 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, 183, 27th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 May 1915: | Involvement 183, 27th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Geelong embarkation_ship_number: A2 public_note: '' | |
| 31 May 1915: | Embarked 183, 27th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Geelong, Adelaide | |
| 19 Jul 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, 183, 2nd Division Signals |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Paul Lemar
William was the son of Thomas RYAN & Margaret MCMAHON and was born on the 28th of December 1884 in North Adelaide, SA.
His parents were married on the 17th of June 1877 in Norwood, SA.
His father was the son of Thomas RYAN & Catharina AGLISH and was born in 1845 in Ireland.
His mother was the daughter of Michael MCMAHON and was born in 1850 in Tipperary, Ireland.
William was the last child born into the family of 4 children.
It is unknown as to why the 2 youngest children were unable to be cared for, but they were admitted into the State Children’s Department in early 1891.
William was sentenced until he turned 16 years of age.
William was 6 years old when he was boarded out to Mrs Helen Salmon, a widow, of Macclesfield on the 31st of March 1891.
His sister; Annie also went with him.
Annie was transferred 18 months later and the siblings were separated.
He attended the Sisters of St Josephs Convent School for 6 years.
On the 3rd of December he was transferred to Mr Michael O’Loughlin, a farmer, of Bull Creek.
On the 20th of February 1899 he was transferred to Ms P Martin, a farmer, of Armaugh. He absconded, but returned to the State Children’s Department voluntarily.
On the 14th of March 1899 he was transferred to Peter M Jorgensen, a Priest, of Pt Lincoln. He served the remainder of his sentence here.
It is unknown if William was aware, but his father, Thomas, died on the 16th of February 1904 and is buried in the West Terrace Catholic Old section.
William was a laborer.
William enlisted into the 27th Battalion, A Company on the 27th of January 1915 in Keswick, SA and was allotted the service number 183.
He listed his sister; Miss Annie Ryan, of the Hamburg Hotel, Rundle Street, Adelaide as next of kin.
William embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A2 Geelong on the 31st of May 1915.
It is unknown if William was aware, but his mother, Margaret, died on the 23rd of August 1915 and is buried in the West Terrace Catholic Old section.
William was discharged on the 19th of July 1919.
He was living with his brother; John, in Marion.
William died on the 26th of June 1922 in Adelaide, SA and is buried in the West Terrace Cemetery; Roman Catholic, West Ground, Row D, Plot 82.
Military
William enlisted into the AIF on the 27th of January 1915 in Keswick, SA at the age of 31 years and was originally allotted service number 183. He was allocated to “A” Company of the 27th Infantry Battalion.
He listed his sister, Miss Annie Ryan, of the Hamburg Hotel, Rundle Street, Adelaide as his next of kin. This was later changed to his brother John.
William embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A2 Geelong on the 31st of May 1915.
He was also allocated service no. 4911 He was a driver.
He was transferred to the 2nd Division Signals Battalion.
He has a number of hospital admissions whilst on the Western Front.
He was promoted to Corporal in 1917.
He returned to Australia in May 1918.
A note on his military file states his medical files are missing.
He was discharged from the AIF on 19.07.1919.
He was initially awarded the British War Medal.
His brother John applied for his Victory Medal in a letter dated 18.05.1924. (after his brother’s death 2 years previously)
William RYAN’s name appears on the honour board at the Marion RSL.