Robert Ryder
| Robert Ryder | |
|---|---|
Robert Ryder c.1940s
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Red |
| Born |
16 February 1908 British India |
| Died |
29 June 1986 (aged 78) At sea off Guernsey |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Navy
|
| Years of service | 1926–1950 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands held |
HMS Opportune (1944–45) HMS Prince Philippe (1941) HMS Fleetwood U73 (1940-41) HMS Edgehill ex Willamette Valley (1939–40) |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Mentioned in Despatches (3) Polar Medal Légion d'honneur (France) Croix de guerre (France) |
| Other work | Member of Parliament for Merton and Morden |
Robert Edward Dudley Ryder VC (16 February 1908 – 29 June 1986) was a Royal Navy officer and a British recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He became a Conservative Member of Parliament after retiring from the navy.
Ryder was born in India in 1908 to Colonel Charles Henry Dudley Ryder, Surveyor General of India, and Ida Josephine Grigg. He was a great-grandson of the Right Reverend Henry Ryder, youngest son of Nathaniel Ryder, 1st Baron Harrowby. Ryder had two brothers; both were killed in the Second World War. Lisle Charles Dudley Ryder died in the Le Paradis massacre of 1940 in France. Ernle Terrick Dudley Ryder died in captivity after the defence of Singapore. Ryder was educated at Hazelhurst School and Cheltenham College before he entered the Royal Navy in 1926.
Ryder served on several ships throughout his career. He served as a midshipman on the battleship HMS Ramillies from 1927 to 1929. As a lieutenant he served in the submarine HMS Olympus as part of the 4th Flotilla in China from 1930 to 1933. Ryder also commanded several expeditions. This included captaining the ketch Tai-Mo-Shan on a 16,217 mile voyage from Hong Kong to Dartmouth, England during 1933–1934. From 1934 to 1937 he captained the schooner Penola during the British Graham Land Expedition in Antarctica.
...
Wikipedia