Michael Joseph Ryan

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Thu, 05/01/2017 - 13:34

First Name:

Michael

Middle Name:

Joseph

Last Name:

Ryan

Mother's Name:

Susan Ryan nee Malone

Father's Name:

Michael Ryan

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, August 14, 1917

Rank at Enlistment:

Sapper

Rank at Discharge:

Sapper

Unit:

Tunnelling Companies

Company:

2nd Tunnelling Company

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Thursday, May 19, 1927

Place of Death:

Wollongong, NSW

Details:

Michael Ryan (Service No 7855) was born in Mount Pleasant, NSW in 1896.

At enlistment he was single, 22 years old, employed as a miner and lived at Balgownie, NSW; he was serving in the Militia when he enlisted. Michael nominated his father as his next of kin.

Michael embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT A71 Nestor with Tunnelling Companies (Sept 1916 - Feb 1918 Reinforcements on) 21st November 1917. He arrived in England on 2nd February 1918 and joined 2nd Tunnelling Company in France in March 1918.

Michael saw service on the Western Front. On 21st May 1918 he was admitted to hospital sick, returning to his unit on 1st September 1918.

While in France, Michael received advice that his father had been killed in a mine accident at Mt Pleasant Colliery in July 1918.

Michael was returned to Australia in April 1919. He was discharged medically unfit on 19th January 1920, his records stating bronchitis and 'mentally weak'.

In 1924 Michael was before the court where a doctor indicated he was suffering mental issues. He was not convicted.

Michael died in 1927 and is buried in Wollongong Cemetery. His service is commemorated on the Balgownie War Memorial 1914-1918.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, RYAN MICHAEL JOSEPH