RYDER, Robert Edward
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.