b. 1826 Derry, Ireland. d. 01/1887 Bengal, India.
Miles Ryan (1826-1887) was born in 1826 in Londonderry, Ireland and he became a blacksmith. He enlisted with the Honourable East India Company’s service for 10 years at Bambridge on 29th September 1848, and sailed for India on the troopship Ellenborough. The official records state that he arrived on 14th October 1849. He served in the Anglo-Burmese War of 1852-53, receiving the Medal and clasp for Pegu, and would serve throughout the Indian Mutiny, earning the Medal with two clasps for Delhi and Lucknow, alongside his VC.
Miles Ryan VC Citation
During the assault on Delhi on 14th September 1857, when the Brigade had reached the Kabul Gate, the 1st Fusiliers and 75th Regiment of Foot, and some Sikhs were awaiting orders, when suddenly some ammunition boxes nearby caught alight. Without hesitation, Drummer Ryan and Sergeant James McGuire rushed forward, and threw the burning boxes over the parapet into a water filled ditch below, saving many lives. Both men were awarded the VC (London Gazette, 24th December 1858).
Drummer Ryan was discharged to a pension of 1 shilling a day on 16th May 1859, and it is believed he remained in India, and died sometime in January 1887 in Bengal. His body has been lost or destroyed. His medals are not publicly held.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NOT PUBLICLY HELD.
BURIAL PLACE: BODY LOST OR DESTROYED.