Dr Charles Ryan with Orloff (Imp Russia) in 1899. Dr Ryan was an interesting man born in Australia he completed his university degree in medicine in Melbourne, went to Edinburgh University in Scotland to gain a masters degree in surgery then toured Europe studying in France, Italy and Austria before ending up in the siege of Plevna during the Russo -Turkish war of 1877. At the age of 24, Charles Ryan was the only doctor on the field during the first battle of Plevna where thousands of soldiers were killed or injured on both sides of the warring armies. He later wrote a book about his experiences. Dr Ryan gained many awards for his services during his long career as a surgeon. With the rank of Colonel he was chief medical officer with the Australian army at Gallipoli in WW1 and was eventually knighted by the British Empire. His daughter Ethel was a pioneer aviator in Australia. She later married Baron Casey and as Lady Casey, Ethel was Patroness of the Borzoi Club of Victoria for many years. Dr/Colonel/ Sir Charles Ryan died in 1926.
