William John Ranyard

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sat, 24/06/2017 - 14:49

First Name:

William

Middle Name:

John

Last Name:

Ranyard

Date of Birth:

Tuesday, June 2, 1896

Mother's Name:

Celia Ranyard nee Chin

Father's Name:

Benjamin Ranyard

Date Enlisted:

Monday, December 13, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Corporal

Unit:

1st Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Thursday, January 27, 1977

Place of Death:

Taree, N.S.W.

Details:

William John Ranyard (Service No 5210), was born in Kiama, N.S.W.

At enlistment with the Waratah March, he was single, 19 years old, worked as a labourer and was serving with the Militia.

William embarked on SS Makarini, with 1st Battalion, 16th Reinforcement, on 1st April 1916. He arrived in France on 20th May 1916, and joined 1st Battalion in the field on 18th June 1916. Three days later, on 21st June, he was wounded in action and evacuated to hospital for treatment of a bomb wound to his right hand. William was back on duty on 27th July 1916, but on 25th August he was sent to Lewis Gun School.

William returned to duty and saw service on the Western Front, until 14th October 1916, when he was sent to hospital with trench fever. He returned to duty on 18th February 1917, and was promoted to Lance Corporal on 2nd May, 1917. William suffered a number of illnesses during the year. On 21st April 1918, he was promoted to Corporal.

In June 1918, William returned to England to serve. He returned to Australia in April 1919, and was discharged on 26th July 1919.

In 1920, William married Mildred Whyms, at Redfern, N.S.W., and took up dairy farming with his brother at Albion Park, N.S.W.

William retired to Taree, N.S.W., where he died in 1977.

William Ranyard is commemorated for his service on the Kiama Public School Roll of Honor and the Kiama War Memorial.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, RANYARD WILLIAM JOHN