Ryder, Edgar Norman

Date of birth:: November 28th, 1914 (Risalpur, India)
Date of death:: 1995 (Arizona, United States)
Service number:: 39193
Nationality:: British

Biography

Before the war Edgar Ryder worked as a maths teacher. He joined the RAF in 1936 and after receiving his wings was posted to No. 41 Squadron. The incident for which he was awarded the DFC was the first crash-land of a Spitfire with the pilot surviving, and was also the first RAF aircraft lost due to enemy action in the defense of Great Britain during World War Two.
On 31 October 1941 he was shot down over Northern France and spent the rest of the war as a PoW.
After the war Ryder was offered a permanent commission with the RAF. Ryder took early retirement from the RAF on 28th October 1960 as a Group Captain, and subsequently settled in Arizona, USA with his wife Jeanne, where he died in 1995 aged 81.

Promotions:
19 October, 1936: Acting Pilot Officer on Probation
24 August, 1937: Pilot Officer
24 February, 1939: Flying Officer
28 July, 1939: Acting Flight Lieutenant
3 September, 1940: Flight Lieutenant
1 September, 1945: Appointment to commission as Squadron leader (permanent)
1 July, 1947: Wing Commander
1 July, 1956: Group Captain

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Flight Lieutenant
Awarded on:: April 19th, 1940

Citation:
"During April this officer was ordered to investigate an enemy raid at sea and took off alone in bad visibility and low cloud. He sighted an enemy aircraft and, observing that its port engine was out of action, he promptly attacked the starboard engine and after disabling it with one burst of fire the aircraft fell into the sea. Afterwards Flight Lieutenant Ryder found that his own aircraft was losing power and he was forced to come down on the sea, whereupon his aircraft immediately dived. When at a considerable depth he managed, with great difficulty, to extricate himself from the cockpit and was then picked up by a nearby trawler.
His accurate flying made the interception a success, and his coolness and courage materially contributed to his own rescue and the collection of much valuable information.
He set a splendid example of courage and discipline to his squadron."

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Wing Commander
Awarded on:: July 29th, 1941

Citation:
"This officer has been on operations continually since the outbreak of war and has shown extraordinary powers of endurance. He has set a splendid example by his leadership and determination and has destroyed at least five and damaged other enemy aircraft."

Mentioned in Dispatches

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Wing Commander
Awarded on:: December 28th, 1945

Citation (general):
"For distinguished service while prisoner of war."

1939-1945 Star

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

With "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" clasp.

Air Crew Europe Star

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

War Medal 1939-1945

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Officier in de Orde van Oranje Nassau met zwaarden (ON.4x)

Rank:: Wing Commander
Awarded on:: June 10th, 1955

Citation:
"In recognition of valuable services rendered by him during the period of his secondment to the Royal Netherlands Air Force."

Military Division.