Personal info
- Name: John RYAN
- D.O.B: 31st Dec, 1822
- D.O.A: 26th Sep, 1857
- D.O.D: 4th Mar, 1858
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Private, 1st Madras (European) Fusiliers, Honourable East India Company Forces
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 1
A Siege near ‘Dooly Square’, Lucknow, India 26 September 1857
26 September 1857
The Indian Mutiny 1857-59
When on 26 September 1857, the litters carrying the wounded towards the Residency at Lucknow were ambushed in ‘Dooly Square’, a small group of soldiers took refuge in a nearby house. Here, under the leadership of Surgeon A D Home, and Private J Hollowell, 78th Regiment, 90th Regiment, they held out against all the odds. Amongst the defenders, Privates P McManus, Northumberland Fusiliers, and J Ryan, 1st Madras (European) Fusiliers, succeeded in rescuing Captain Arnold from the massacre that was taking place outside. When the mutineers set fire to the roof of the house, the party fled to other buildings, and finally to a shed from which they were rescued next morning.
Citation
In addition to the above act, Private Ryan distinguished himself throughout the day by his intrepidity, and especially devoted himself to rescuing the wounded in the neighbourhood from being massacred. He was most anxious to visit every dooly. (Extract from Divisional Orders of Major-General Sir James Outram, G.C.B., dated 14th October, 1857.)
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