About Richard Ryan
Lived 1903 – 1940 (aged 37). Richard Ryan was a British military personnel.
Lieutenant-Commander Richard John Hammersley Ryan, GC (23 July 1903 – 21 September 1940) was a Royal Navy officer who was posthumously awarded the George Cross along with Chief Petty Officer Reginald Vincent Ellingworth for the "great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty" they displayed while attempting to defuse a mine which had fallen on Dagenham in Essex on 21 September 1940.
Early life and career Ryan was from a naval family, the son of Admiral Frank Edward Cavendish Ryan. He joined the Royal Navy in the early 1920s, was promoted to lieutenant in 1925, and lieutenant commander on 1 August 1933.
Second World War The pair had defused many such devices together, and had just successfully defused a device in Hornchurch which was threatening an aerodrome and explosives factory when they were called to Dagenham. The bomb there was hanging from its parachute on a warehouse.
Notice of the award appeared in the London Gazette of 20 December 1940:
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Richard Ryan's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Richard Ryan's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Richard Ryan?
George Cross recipient (1903–1940)
When was Richard Ryan born?
Richard Ryan was born on 23 July 1903 in Rotherham.
When did Richard Ryan die?
Richard Ryan died on 21 September 1940 in Hoxton.
What was Richard Ryan's occupation?
Richard Ryan was a military personnel.
What nationality was Richard Ryan?
Richard Ryan was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Richard Ryan (Royal Navy officer)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Richard Ryan. https://biography.guide/richard-ryan-military-personnel/
MLA: "Richard Ryan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/richard-ryan-military-personnel/.
Chicago: "Richard Ryan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/richard-ryan-military-personnel/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:16 UTC