| Ryan | George Julian | | Lieutenant | RYAN, GEORGE JULIAN, Lieutenant, was born 18 September 1878, at Tenby, South Wales, son of Colonel George Ryan, RAMC, of Ashby Cottage, Hyde, Isle of Wight, and of Mrs Louisa O Ryan. He was educated at Elizabeth College, Guernsey, and at the United Service College, Westward Ho! He was gazetted to the 2nd Battalion The Royal Munster Fusiliers, as Second Lieutenant, 8 September 1897, and became Lieutenant 11 March 1899. He served during the South African War, 1899-1902, and was employed with the Mounted Infantry in the advance on Kimberley, including the actions at Belmont and Modder River; the operations in the Transvaal, June to 29 November 1900; operations in Cape Colony; taking part in the operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to March 1901; operations in Orange River Colony, March to June 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "George Julian Ryan, Lieutenant, Royal Munster Fusiliers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 24 November 1902. He was promoted Captain 9 June 1905. He was employed with the Egyptian Army 6 February 1903 to 15 February 1910. He served in the Soudan, 1905; during operations against the Nyam Nyam Tribes in the Bahr-el-Ghazal Province. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 18 May 1906], and received the Egyptian Medal with clasp. He took part in the operations in the Soudan, 1906, at Talodi, Southern Kordofan, and received clasp to Egyptian Medal. He took part during the operations in the Soudan, 1908, in the Blue Nile Province, with the force sent to punish the murderers of the Deputy Inspector and Police Commandant, who had been treacherously slain at Kam'in (he was wounded). He received the Brevet of Major 7 November 1908, and the Order of the Medjidie. He served during the European War in France and Flanders from 22 August 1914, and was promoted Temporary Lieutenant Colonel 21 January 1915. He was killed in action at Givenchy on 23 January 1915, whilst in temporary command of the battalion (2nd Munsters), as he was returning across the danger-zone after inspecting his men. Lieutenant Colonel Ryan was mentioned in Field Marshal Sir John French's Despatch of 22 June,1915, and his mother received a telegram of sympathy from the King on the occasion of his death, and also from Lord Kitchener, saying what a loss he was to his country and to the army.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Munster Fusiliers |
