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Tumut V.C.
is Jobless 29 October 1929 The Tumut and Adelong Times |
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Forgotten
Gallantry of John Ryan, a Homeless Tramp From national hero, with his name a synonym of gallantry, to oblivion,
without home or job, in a country town, is the pathetic progress of
ex-Private John Ryan, V.C. Winner of highest award for gallantry that his country could bestow,
he now tramps from town to town in an unavailing search for work. Typically,
he attributes to 'luck' the affair that brought him his decoration. The official book of V.C.'s is more communicative. ''When the
Australians were crashing through the Hindenburg line, Sept., 1918,'' says
the record, ''the 55th Battalion, to which Ryan belonged, was, together with
other units, well in the attack. Ryan was one of the first to rush into a
German trench, which was taken, but he showed, perhaps, higher qualities
later when he led three men against some bombers who were making his position
untenable. He put these men out of action and was then severely
wounded." Workless
In Dubbo A native of Tumut, Ryan sacrificed his job for the country that now
denies him work. He is now in Dubbo, where he has
sought vainly for work during the past few weeks. |