Robert Edward Ryder

Robert Edward Ryder
Born	17 December 1895 Harefield, Middlesex, England
Died	1 December 1978 Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, England
Buried at	St Mary the Virgin Churchyard, Harefield
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	Middlesex Regiment
Battles/wars	World War I
Awards	Victoria Cross Bronze Medal of Military Valor (Italy)

Robert Edward Ryder VC (17 December 1895 – 1 December 1978) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Ryder was 20 years old, and a private in the 12th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own), British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 26 September 1916 at Thiepval, France, Private Ryder's company was held up by heavy rifle fire and all his officers had become casualties. For want of leadership the attack was flagging when Private Ryder, realising the situation and without a moment's thought for his own safety dashed, absolutely alone, at the enemy trench and by skilful handling of his Lewis gun succeeded in clearing the trench. This very gallant act inspired his comrades, made the subsequent advance possible and turned what could have been failure into success.^[1]

He later achieved the rank of sergeant.

The Medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Lord Ashcroft VC Gallery in the Imperial War Museum in London, England.^[2]

References

1. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29836. p. 11526. 25 November 1916. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
2. "IWM display". Retrieved January 18, 2013.

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• VCs of the First World War - The Somme (Gerald Gliddon, 1994)

External links

• The Middlesex Regiment 1755-1966 (detailed history of the original "Die Hards")
• Location of grave and VC medal (Middlesex)