Lance Corporal Bernard Ryan served in the 16th Brigade of the 6th Division with the 2/1 Infantry Battalion, Service No. NX13243, POW No. 4023.Bernard landed in Greece with his unit on 22 Mar 1941. His battalion was evacuated by sea from Megara on 25 April. It landed on Crete the next day and was subsequently deployed with the 2/11th Battalion to defend the critical airfield at Retimo. Against an overwhelming German force and, short of rations and ammunition, the 2/1st surrendered and became prisoners of war.
Bernard was born in Newcastle, New South Wales on 1 Aug 1917. Post-war he was a public servant. He married and lived in Sydney for a time but returned to Newcastle for his retirement.
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