Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Surgeon G. H. Ryan, Royal Navy

Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Inkermann, Sebastopol Geo. H. Ryan, Ass. Surg. Agamemnon 17th of Octr. & R.M. 5th of Novr. 1854) contemporary engraved naming with slight correction; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed, both fitted with a swivel ring suspension, minor edge bruising, very fine (2) £300-350

George Henry Ryan was born at Ballymackeogh House, near Newport, Co. Tipperary in 1819. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, he gained a Diploma in Medicine (Trinity College) in July 1836. He subsequently gained the Dublin Certificate (College of Surgeons) in January 1848; became a Doctor of Medicine (University of Aberdeen) in April 1859 and became a F.R.C.S. Ireland in May 1859. Ryan entered the Royal Navy as an Assistant Surgeon on 30 December 1842, being advanced to a Surgeon in November 1854. He served in the Crimean War as an Assistant Surgeon and later Surgeon aboard H.M.S. Agamemnon, flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir Edmond Lyons.

During the battle of Alma, 20 September 1854, the Agamemnon cruised offshore and following the battle, landed her medical officers and stretcher parties to assist in the treatment and evacuation of the wounded.

Present at the bombardment of Fort Constantine on 17 October 1854: Agamemnon opened fire at 750 yards range at 2 o’clock in the afternoon and continued her attack for four hours, during which time she came under heavy fire from the Wasp Fort and the Telegraph Battery. She was set on fire and suffered much damage. During the action the Surgeon and his assistants were operating in the Gunner’s store room in the fore part of the ship below water level. A heavy ball struck that part of the ship just as the Surgeon was in the process of amputating the arm of the Admiral’s valet. During the bombardment Agamemnon had four men killed and 26 wounded. Ryan was specially promoted to Surgeon ‘For attack on Sea Defences of Sebastopol’, as directed by Admiralty letter of 2 December 1854 ‘With seniority from 13th November 1854’. Ryan served ashore with the Marine Brigade and was present at the battle of Inkermann on 5 November 1854. From 28 February 1855 he was borne on the books of H.M.S. Royal Albert, as an Additional Surgeon to do duty with the Marine Brigade; he remained in that capacity until transferred to H.M.S. Spiteful on 12 November 1855.

Surgeon Ryan continued to serve in the Royal Navy until his death due to ‘Delirium Tremens’ at Port Royal, Jamaica on 17 July 1866. With a folder containing copied research.