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Ryder, Robert Edward Dudley

Date of birth:
February 16th, 1908 (India)
Date of death:
June 29th, 1986 (Yaght "Watchdog", off Guernsey)
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Robert Edward Ryder was cremated in the Headington Crematorium, Oxford, Great Britain.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Commander
Unit:
HMS Campbeltown (I42), Royal Navy
Awarded on:
May 21st, 1942
Awarded for:
Operation Chariot
Citation:
"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."

Robert Edward Ryder's Victoria Cross is publickly displayed at the Imperial War Museum in London, Great Britain.
Victoria Cross (VC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Commander
Unit:
HQ, Combined Operations Headquarters, War Office, British Government
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1942
Awarded for:
Operation Jubilee
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Commander
Unit:
HMS Opportune (G80), Royal Navy
Awarded on:
November 14th, 1944
Awarded for:
Operation Neptune
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Commander
Unit:
HMS Opportune (G80), Royal Navy
Awarded on:
December 19th, 1944
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Plus Clasp Antarctic 1935-1937
Polar Medal

Sources

Photo