Photo: B. Chandler
The family headstone reads:
In loving memory of
our dearly beloved son
Sgt./Obs. James Ryan, R.A.F.V.R.
who lost his life December 15th 1942
aged 30 years.
He died that others may live
(The rest of the family dedication is obscured)
Simon Glancey has submitted the following:
Sgt Ryan was killed in Halifax Mk. II DT624 'F' of 405 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron. The 405 Sqn Operational Record Book (O.R.B.) Form 541 records the following:
Anti Submarine Patrol No. 45, Bay of Biscay
Four a/c detailed:
Halifax II ‘V’ (SGT PERRY) Routine Patrol. Landed St. Eval
Halifax II ‘B’ (F/L SHOCKLEY) Routine Patrol. Landed Base [Beaulieu]
Halifax II ‘U’ (F/S SHARR) Routine Patrol. Landed base.
Halifax II ‘F’ (SGT STEWART) CRASHED.
While on patrol a/c experienced engine trouble in port outer and Captain decided to return to base. On arrival at Beaulieu, he received permission from flying control to make a right hand circuit and land. He began normal landing procedure when his port wing was seen to drop when a/c was just beyond the south side of the aerodrome at 7 to 800 feet altitude. A/C seemed to drop off into spin and suddenly crash into ground. Huge billows of smoke being visible from the operations block. On arrival, of fire equipment and ambulance, the a/c was practically burned out, all members of the crew perishing in the flames.
405 Squadron Operational Record Book Form 541, AIR 27/1787, National Archives.
James Ryan is remembered in Amble on A13.01, A13.06 and A13.12 and in Monkwearmouth on M46.02 page 96
