RYAN, Robert Thomas

RYAN, Robert Thomas – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 1724
RANK : Private
UNIT : 11th Light Horse Regiment
ENLISTMENT DATE : 3/01/1916
AGE : 18
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Warwick, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Pittsworth, Queensland
RELIGION : Roman Catholic
OCCUPATION : Engine Cleaner
DATE OF DEATH : 17/08/1977
PLACE OF BURIAL : Bundaberg, Queensland

MEMORIALS : Dalveen WWI Honour Boards, Warwick Railway Honour Board

View Veteran’s Service File : RYAN, Robert Thomas

NOTES :

Robert Thomas Ryan was born in Pittsworth and was one of six childred born to Edward Timothy Stephen and Margaret Ryan (nee Hamilton).

The family were living at Cherry Gully, Dalveen when Robert and his older brother William Gordon Ryan 1723 enlisted together in Warwick on January 3, 1916. Both men were members of the 11th Light Horse Regiment in Egypt. Robert spent time in hospital suffering from maleria in August followed by pyrexia in October 1917. Robert was required to seek treatment with a reoccurence of ten bouts of the disease over the course of his army service. Upon returning to strength in December 1917 he rejoined the unit in Palestine.

In August 4, 1919 his mother Margaret, wrote to Base Records asking if there was any information availbe regarding the whereabouts of her sons, Robert and William seeking information on when they would be returning to Australia. It would be another twenty-four days before both men returned aboard the Morvada, disembarking on August 28, 1919. Robert received his discharge from the army on November 15, 1919.

Mary Eliza Bravery married Robert in Warwick on October 25, 1922. Robert returned to his job with the Railways as a locomotive driver. The family lived in Warwick for many years before being transferred to Charters Towers, Goondiwindi, Gympie, eventually settling in Bundaberg.

Robert’s son Robert Earl Hamilton Ryan QX43538 enlisted in the Second World War with the Australian Army.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.