Trooper Sidney Jack Ryland was the son of Sidney Robert and Margaret Emily (Scrivens) Ryland, of Stroud, Gloucestershire. He enlisted in the Dorsetshire Regiment and volunteered for Airborne Forces.

He successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 105 from 1 to 14 March 1944. His course report stated “Quiet and intelligent – good all round performer”.

He was posted to B Squadron, 1st Special Air Service Regiment, Army Air Corps.

He was murdered by a Nazi firing squad on 7 July 1944, aged 29 and is now buried in Rom Communal Cemetery. Southern France.