Edward St John Norwood Ryan was born at Kingston in 1896, the second son of George Norwood Ryan, a shipbroker, and Isabella Ryan of "St John's" 26 Beaufort Road, Kingston.

He was killed in action near Courtrai in Flanders on the 22nd of October, 1918 - aged 23 years. He was awarded the Military Cross which was gazetted on the 8th of March, 1919.