William Ryan (rugby league)
Australian rugby league footballer
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William Joseph Ryan (24 September 1919 – 7 December 1942) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the New South Wales Rugby League for Newtown Bluebags. He also represented New South Wales.[1]
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | William Joseph Ryan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 24 September 1919 Petersham, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 7 December 1942 (aged 23) near Sanananda, Territory of New Guinea | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Centre | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relatives | Bruce Ryan (brother) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Military career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allegiance |  Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Branch | Australian Army | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service years | 1941-1942 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Lieutenant | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unit | 55/53 Infantry Battalion | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conflicts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Early life and rugby career
Ryan was born on 24 September 1919 in Petersham to William Joseph and Eva Ryan.[2][3] His brother, Bruce, would also play rugby league for Newtown Bluebags.[1]
Ryan played as a centre in 12 matches for Newtown Bluebags in 1941, gaining 11 tries and 33 points.[1] He also played representatively for New South Wales and New South Wales City.[1]
Military career
Ryan served as a lieutenant in the 55/53 Infantry Battalion of the Second Australian Imperial Force during the Second World War.[2][3] He was killed near Sanananda in the New Guinea campaign on 7 December 1942.[4] Ryan is buried at Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery.[2]
Career statistics
| Club | Season | Division | League | Other | Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Tries | Goals | Points | Apps | Tries | Goals | Points | Apps | Tries | Goals | Points | |||
| Newtown Bluebags | 1941 | New South Wales Rugby League[1] | 12 | 11 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 11 | 0 | 33 |
| Club career total | 12 | 11 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 11 | 0 | 33 | ||
| New South Wales | 1941 | Representative[1] | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| New South Wales City | 1941 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Representative career total | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | ||
| Career total | 14 | 12 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 12 | 0 | 36 | ||