Robert Edward Ryder
Private, 12th Battalion. Middlesex Regiment
- Register No.
- 1096 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- 12th Battalion. Middlesex Regiment (register: Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment)) all Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) VCs →
- Date of action
- 26 September 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- the 26th November, 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Born
- the 17th in December 1895 at Harefield, Middlesex
- Died
- the 1st December 1978 at Hucknall, Nottinghamshire
- Memorial / grave
- at Harefield Middlesex and on a plaque inside a Middlesex Guildhall, Westminster
- Medal held by
- the Imperial War Museum, Kennington, London
Digest of citation
Private Ryder's company was held up by heavy rifle fire, and all the officers had become casualties, at Thiepval, France on the 26th September, 1916. The attack was wavering, owing to lack of leadership, when Private Ryder, realising the situation, and without a thought for his own well-being, rushed an enemy trench alone and with skilful handling of his Lewis gun succeeded in clearing the trench. This gallant act greatly inspired his comrades and made their subsequent advance possible: turning failure into success
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
RYDER, Robert Edward. (reg No. 1096).
Private. 12th Battalion. Middlesex Regiment. * London Gazetted on the 26th November, 1916.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Imperial War Museum, Kennington, London.
Born on the 17th in December 1895 at Harefield, Middlesex.
Died on the 1st December 1978 at Hucknall, Nottinghamshire.
Memorial on grave at Harefield Middlesex and on a plaque inside a Middlesex Guildhall, Westminster.
Digest of Citation reads: Private Ryder's company was held up by heavy rifle fire, and all the officers had become casualties, at Thiepval, France on the 26th September, 1916. The attack was wavering, owing to lack of leadership, when Private Ryder, realising the situation, and without a thought for his own well-being, rushed an enemy trench alone and with skilful handling of his Lewis gun succeeded in clearing the trench. This gallant act greatly inspired his comrades and made their subsequent advance possible: turning failure into success.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Harefield Middlesex and on a plaque inside a Middlesex Guildhall, Westminster
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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