Edward was born at Clifton Hill, VIC in August 1892 to Timothy Bernard Ryan and Maria Ellen Leydin. Timothy's first wife, Ann Sheehan, died in 1887. Edward had a half-brother, William, who is also remembered in the Avenue.

Edward was a Lieutenant with the 48^th Kooyong Infantry, with the duties of Drill Instructor⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾, when he enlisted in the AIF, 5^th Reinforcements, 58^th Battalion on the 18^th of February 1916, aged 23½, with the rank of Honorary Lieutenant. In April he qualified as a Second Lieutenant before embarking aboard the HMAT A9 Shropshire in September and disembarked at Plymouth, England in November.

In February 1917 Edward joined his unit in France and less than a month later was promoted to Lieutenant. He was granted two weeks furlough in England in September but a month later was wounded in action - gassed - and evacuated back to England and admitted to the 4^th Southern General Hospital, Plymouth. Edward rejoined his unit in France in January 1918 and attended the 2^nd Army School of Instruction for a month in February before he was attached to the 59^th Battalion and appointed Adjutant - he transferred to the 59^th Battalion in early May. Later that month he was detached to AIF Headquarters, London for transfer to the Indian Army. In July his appointment with the AIF was terminated, having been granted a commission as Captain in the Indian Army⁽³⁾.

Edward enlisted in the Australian Army - V146935 - in February 1942 with the rank of Captain. He was discharged from the Army in December 1946 as a Lieutenant Colonel with the Provost Corps.

Edward died at St Kilda, VIC in July 1957, aged 64.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour and the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour.

Notes

1. He is sometimes gives his occupation as Student.
2. The Bacchus Marsh Express 22 Jan 1916
3. The Bacchus Marsh Express 21 Sep 1918