Career
Ryan was about 24 years old, and a Lance Corporal in the 65th Regiment of Foot (later the 1st Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment), British Army during the Invasion of Waikato (one of the campaigns in the New Zealand Wars), when the following deed took place on 7 September 1863, for which he was awarded the Venture capital. Foreign gallant conduct at the engagement near Cameron-town above referred to This Non-Commissioned Officer, with Privates Bulford and Talbot, of the same Regiment, who have been recommended for the Medal for distinguished conduct in the Field, for their behaviour on the same occasion, removed the body of the late Captain Swift from the Field of Action, after he had been mortally wounded, and remained with it all night in a bush surrounded by the enemy. He drowned while trying to save a drunken comrade in the Waikato River.
