Corporal William Ryan

William Ryan was born in the Irish Republic and lived in Liverpool, he enlisted into The King’s Regiment (Liverpool) and later volunteered for Airborne Forces.

Corporal Ryan successfully completed parachute training on course number 88 at RAF Ringway from 18 to 30 October 1943. His course report stated ‘keen, diligent progress’. He was posted to 9 Platoon, 13th (Lancashire) Parachute Battalion.

He fought in the Normandy campaign and took part in the 6th Airborne Division response to the German counter-offensive in the Ardennes, during Winter 1944-5.

Cpl Ryan died of wounds on 4 January 1945, aged 30, and was buried in Charnley Church Vault, near Tellin, Belgium. He was later reinterred in Hotton War Cemetery on 30 May 1947.

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