The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Ryan
First Name:
Cornelius
Nick Name:
Con
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX8734
Classification:
Rangetaker
Company:
‘B’ Company, 8 Platoon
Enlisted:
23.10.1940
Discharged:
14.02.1946
DOB:
23.09.1913
Place of Birth:
Victoria Park, Western Australia
Father's Name:
John Joseph Ryan
Mothers's Name:
Sarah Ryan
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Pre-war Occupation:
Miner and Boiler Attendant
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi, Johore Bahru, Adam Park, Selarang Barracks Changi.
Force:
‘D’ Force Thailand, S Battalion
Camps Thailand:
Tarsau (contracted malaria so remained behind to work at barge landing), Kanu II ,Kanu I, Tarsau, Tamajao Wood Camp, Non Pladuk, Chao Puraya River, (bridge repair), Banderra, Bangkok (go-downs).
POW#:
4/6572 & 8836
Return Details 1945:
Thailand-Singapore by aircraft, Singapore-Fremantle HMT Circassia.

General Description

Ryan enlisted 23 Oct 1940 and later joined 2/4th’s ‘B’ Company 8 Platoon under C.O. Lt MacKinnon.
We believe Con was working in the Goldfields – Norseman prior to enlisting.   His enlistment record shows his occupation as miner and boiler room attendant.
Ryan left to work on Burma-Thai Railway Hellfire Pass Region with ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion.  Please read further.
When S Battalion left Tarsau, Ryan remained behind with malaria.  He loaded and unloaded barges.  He then moved to work Kanu II, Kanu I, then Tarsau.
From Tarsau he left with Dutch work party to cut wood a Tamajao.  Then returned to Hospital Camp a Non Pladuk.  Once he was fit, Ryan went with a work party to a bridge on Chao Putaya River where he worked repairing bridge after Allied bombing.
At the end of war, Ryan marched into Bangkok from Banderra where he was a storeman and worked on go-downs.

He returned to WA on Circassia.

 

 

 

Born 1913 Victoria Park to parents John Joseph and Sarah Ryan.

He played football at Norseman for several years, regularly had his name included amongst best players with Ron Badock, Wheelock.

Below:  Ryan played football at Norseman ’39

 

Bunbury Re-union 1985

Con Ryan, Wally Lim and Ron Badock.

Ryan never married and worked at Fremantle wharves after the war.
Con Ryan of Mosman Park died 27 February 1999 aged 85 years.  He was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery.

Camp Locations:

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  • Johore Bahru, - Malaysia
  • Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Banderra, Chao Puraya River - Thailand
  • Kanu 1 151.00k - Thailand
  • Kanu II, 152.30k - Thailand
  • Non Pladuk, 0k - Thailand
  • Tamajao, Tha Mayo, 238k - Thailand
  • Tarsau, Tha Sao 125k - Thailand
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