Basil James Ryan aka Basil De Courcy

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 22/05/2017 - 12:23

First Name:

Basil

Middle Name:

James

Last Name:

Ryan

Date of Birth:

Monday, November 29, 1897

Mother's Name:

Mabel Ryan nee Rogan

Father's Name:

John Ryan

Date Enlisted:

Monday, December 20, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

12th (Army) Field Artillery Brigade

Company:

47th Battery

Service:

Artillery

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

1914/1915 Star

Date of Death:

Sunday, May 13, 1956

Details:

Basil Ryan (Service No 21336) was born in Dapto, NSW. He was single, a student and was18 years of age. Basil had previously served 4 years with the Cadets and 28th Light Horse Militia.

Basil enlisted in Brisbane, Queensland as Basil De Courcy. Basil submitted a statutory declaration on 5th May 1916 providing his true name and his mother also submitted a statutory declaration providing Basil's name and providing permission for him to enlist.

Basil embarked from Sydney on HMAT A8 - Argyllshire with 9th Field Artillery Brigade on 11 May 1916. He arrived in England on 10 July 1916 and remained there until he turned 19 years of age.

Basil joined his unit in France on 6 January 1917 and was posted to the 47th Artillery Battery and served with them on the Western Front.

On 20th March 1918, Basil was wounded in action but remained on duty.

Basil returned to Australia in May 1919 and was discharged on 19 August 1919.

On 24th January 1923 he married Kathleen Hickey in Armidale and together they raised 3 children.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, RYAN BASIL JAMES