Robert Ryder
Robert Ryder | |
---|---|
Member of Parliament for Merton and Morden | |
In office 23 February 1950 – 6 May 1955 | |
Preceded by | Constituency created |
Succeeded by | Humphrey Atkins |
Personal details | |
Born | Robert Edward Dudley Ryder 16 February 1908 British India |
Died | 29 June 1986 At sea off Guernsey | (aged 78)
Political party | Conservative |
Relatives | See Ryder family |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Branch/service | Royal Navy |
Years of service | 1926–1950 |
Rank | Captain |
Commands | HMS Opportune (1944–45) HMS Prince Philippe (1941) HMS Fleetwood (1940–41) HMS Edgehill ex Willamette Valley (1939–40) |
Battles/wars |
|
Awards | Croix de guerre (France) |
Captain 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.
Early life
Ryder was born in
Ryder served on several ships throughout his career. He served as a
When the
Victoria Cross
The official citation:
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Victoria Cross for daring and valour in the attack on the German Naval Base at St. Nazaire, to:
Commander Robert Edward Dudley Ryder, Royal Navy.
For great gallantry in the attack on St Nazaire. He commanded a force of small unprotected ships in an attack on a heavily defended port and led H.M.S. Campbeltown in under intense fire from short range weapons at point blank range. Though the main object of the expedition had been accomplished in the beaching of Campbeltown, he remained on the spot conducting operations, evacuating men from Campbeltown and dealing with strong points and close range weapons while exposed to heavy fire for one hour and sixteen minutes, and did not withdraw till it was certain that his ship could be of no use in rescuing any of the Commando Troops who were still ashore. That his
Motor Gun Boat, now full of dead and wounded, should have survived and should have been able to withdraw through an intense barrage of close range fire was almost a miracle.[5]
His medal is held by the Imperial War Museum, London.[6]
Ryder took part in the
Later life
Following his naval career, he stood for election to the House of Commons as the Conservative Party candidate for Merton and Morden at the 1950 general election. He was elected and served as the Member of Parliament for five years.[7] He died on 29 June 1986, whilst on the yacht Watchdog during a sailing trip to France. He is buried in Headington Crematorium, Oxford.[8]
Awards
- gazetted 19 May 1942[5]
- Légion d'honneur
- Croix de guerre
- 3 Mentions in despatches:
- Polar Medal with clasp
References
- ^ CWGC entry for Lisle Charles Dudley Ryder
- ^ a b c "The Papers of Robert Ryder". Churchill Archives Centre, University of Cambridge. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
- ISBN 0850524199.
- ^ "HMS Campbeltown Commemorates the Raid on St Nazaire 28 March 1942". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 9 January 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
- ^ a b "No. 35566". The London Gazette. 19 May 1942. p. 2225.
- ^ "Victoria Crosses held by the IWM". VictoriaCross.org. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
- ^ "No. 39372". The London Gazette. 30 October 1951. p. 5665.
- ^ "Victoria Cross recipients burial locations: Oxfordshire". VictoriaCross.org. Archived from the original on 4 June 2008. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
- ^ "No. 35729". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 October 1942. p. 4325.
- ^ "No. 36794". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 November 1944. p. 5218.
- ^ "No. 36846". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 December 1944. p. 5807.
- General
- British VCs of World War 2(John Laffin, 1997)
- Monuments To Courage(David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- E.J. Ryder, Antoni Chmielowski
Further reading
- Hopton, Richard. Reluctant Hero: The Life of Captain Robert Ryder VC.
External links
- Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Robert Ryder
- Robert RYDER of Cheltenham College
- Location of grave and VC medal (Oxfordshire)
- HMS Campbeltown and the Raid on St. Nazaire (detailed description of the action)
- The St. Nazaire Society (Operation Chariot)