John Ryan (VC 1863)

John Ryan VC (1839 - 29 December, 1863) was born in Barnsleigh, County Tipperary and was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was about 24 years old, and a Lance Corporal in the 65th Regiment of Foot (later the 1st Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment), British Army during the Waikato-Hauhau Maori War, New Zealand when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 7 September 1863 near Cameron Town, New Zealand, Lance Corporal Ryan, with two privates, removed the body of a captain from the field of action after he had been mortally wounded and remained with it all night in the bush, surrounded by the enemy. Lance-Corporal Ryan was drowned in December of the same year, while trying to rescue a comrade.

Further information

He died Tuakau, New Zealand, 29 December 1863.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The York & Lancaster Regiment Museum "(Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England)".

References

Listed in order of publication year
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
*The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
*Irelands VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)