THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

RYAN, John

Lance Corporal, 65th Regiment (York & Lancaster Regiment)

CITATION

Victoria Cross

On 7 September 1863 near Camerontown, 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.

KNOWN AWARDS

Victoria Cross

New Zealand Wars Medal (1860-66)

His medals are held in the York & Lancs Regimental Museum, Rotherham, England.

NOTES

Born 1839, Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary, Ireland

Drowned at Tuakau, New Zealand, on 29 December 1864, while attempting to rescue a comrade.

He is buried in an unmarked grave at the Alexandra Redoubt Cemetery, Tuakau, New Zealand. A large "stepped," marble and concrete memorial is erected at the site