William Ryan / alias Regan

Posts : 3 Join date : 2022-03-06

can anyone help me find a deserter from the 60th rifles whilst in South Africa 1856, An Irishman William ( Bill) Ryan alias Regan who later Murdered his Griqua wife on 3rd November 1879.
Captured 1874 by the Native Contingent under Commandant Welsh but escaped whilst in captivity.
Any help in finding this nasty gent who Murdered My Wife's GG Grandmother would be much appreciated.

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

Murray
If he deserted in 1856 he may have been involved in the earlier Frontier Wars and looking at the medal rolls for this period there are two Ryan's in the 60th but neither are William.
1/ Michael Ryan 2791 1850-53
2/Richard Ryan 1850-53

There is a William Ryall in the 75th Regiment, sometimes names are mispelt in medal rolls
There are two Michael Ryan's attached to the Cape Mounted Riflemen.
1/Michael Ryan 2261 saw his entire war service with the 6th where his number was 3083
2/ Michael Ryan 2316 saw his entire war service with the 60th

Will keep digging
Kate

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

Murray did he desert in 1856 and are you sure he was in the 60th?

This William Ryan was in an Irish Regiment and ended up in SA in 1871

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

In the Englishman's Overland Mail - Wednesday 21 January 1880 a Private W Ryan 4 -60th was awarded his silver long service good conduct medal. Not likely to be him based on your description of him

It is a common name but here are three possible leads for you
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

There is N/T of a William Ryan in the SAGS medal roll.
Do you have any more details of the 'Native Contingent' that Commandant Welsh was in charge of bearing in mind the Natal Native Contingent were only raised in November 1878.
Kate

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

May be something or nothing
Taken from an article titled 'The Transvaal'

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Banbury Advertiser - Thursday 11 September 1879

Posts : 3 Join date : 2022-03-06

gardner1879 wrote:: May be something or nothing
Taken from an article titled 'The Transvaal'

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Banbury Advertiser - Thursday 11 September 1879

Thanks Kate,
I also found that, and much more for Ryan living in East Griqualand.
The informer said his name was Regan, I reckon that is his army name.

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

I know its a common name but could this be your chap Murray after returning to England?
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Sheffield Evening Telegraph - Saturday 30 June 1917

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 30 June 1917

» Private 49 W Peacock Private William Sullivan alias William Swaine 2/3rd Regiment horse thieves
» Surgeon George Ryan
» Blue Plaque to James Egan, alias Private Hagan