Search of James Frederick Ryder

Discussion in 'Durham Light Infantry' started by Paul van de Winkel, Jan 4, 2018.

  1. Hi everyone,

    In 2009 my I bought an old house in Posterholt (the Netherlands).
    When we were rebuilding it, we found out, that a soldier died in our cellar on the 25th of January 1945. It took some time to find out who he was. We did some research and found the man.
    His name was James Frederick Ryder, service number 4037041, 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry.
    We found out, that Ryder was sent on patrol towards Posterholt and investigate, if the bridge (a little further on our road), was still intact. The bridge was blown by the Germans a day before. When they reached the blown bridge, they took enemy fire. Ryder was shot and brought to the basement of our house. We don't know, if the Germans took hem there (they used our house to observe the bridge) or if his fellows brought him there, because it was difficult to take a wounded man under enemy fire back in open field.
    He was initially buried a little further on our road, before he's reburied in Jonkerbos in Nijmegen.
    I know, that he's a son of Charlotte Ryder, but brought up by his grand parents James and Martha Ryder.
    I want to know, if there is anybody, who knew this man, who has a photo from him? Are there relatives?
    When did James sign up for the army and where did he fight, before he died for the liberation of our village?

    Who can help me?
    Paul
     
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  2. 8RB

    8RB Well-Known Member

    9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was part of 50th (Northumbrian) division. Take a look at Wikipedia. They fought at every front in and around Europe!
     
  3. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Hello Paul,
    Welcome to the forum , I have spoken to an ex member regarding your enquiry and he could only confirm what you already have really?
    GBM_WO417_088_0199ryder.jpg
    Kyle
     
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2018
  4. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

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  5. 8RB

    8RB Well-Known Member

    Note different (wrong?) Army number...

    doc4196924.JPG
     
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  6. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    CWGC Details:
    Lance Corporal
    RYDER, JAMES FREDERICK
    Service Number 4037041
    Died 25/01/1945
    Aged 28
    9th Bn.
    Durham Light Infantry
    Son of James and Martha Ryder; husband of Constance Winifred Ryder, of Stone, Staffordshire.

    UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945
    Name: James Ryder
    Given Initials: J F
    Rank: Lance Corporal
    Death Date: 25 Jan 1945
    Number: 4037041
    Birth Place: Worcester
    Residence: Worcester
    Regiment at Enlistment: Durham Light Infantry
    Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
    Theatre of War: Western Europe Campaign, 1944/45
    Regiment at Death: Durham Light Infantry
    Branch at Death: Infantry

    England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005
    Name: James F Ryder
    Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1940
    Registration district: Tenbury
    Inferred County: Worcestershire
    Spouse: Constance W Tomlinson
    Volume Number: 6c
    Page Number: 501

    I would suggest that they had 2 children from this marriage:

    England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2005
    Name: Mabel Ryder
    Mother's Maiden Surname: Tomlinson
    Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1940
    Registration district: Stafford
    Inferred County: Staffordshire
    Volume Number: 6b
    Page Number: 91

    Name: Barbara H Ryder
    Mother's Maiden Surname: Tomlinson
    Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1942
    Registration district: Stafford
    Inferred County: Staffordshire
    Volume Number: 6b
    Page Number: 67

    I will try and see what happened to them and if they married and had offspring

    TD
     
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  7. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    There is one avenue that is stopped in its tracks

    England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
    Name: Mabel Ryder
    Death Age: 0
    Birth Date: abt 1940
    Registration Date: Dec 1940
    Registration district: Stafford
    Inferred County: Staffordshire
    Volume: 6b
    Page: 94

    TD
     
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  8. Hello Kyle,

    I didn't see this form before. May I ask, where you found it?
     
  9. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    This could be the other daughters marriage details:

    England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005
    Name: Barbara H Ryder
    Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1961
    Registration district: Stafford
    Inferred County: Staffordshire
    Spouse: Anthony M Harris
    Volume Number: 9b
    Page Number: 1027

    UK, Electoral Registers, 2003-2010
    Name: Anthony M Harris
    Residence Date: 2004
    Address: 23, Amblefield Way, ST16 1SU
    Residence Place: Stafford, Staffordshire, England


    As they would have both been born around 1940 then they will be approaching 80 years of age, so it is likely they will not have Facebrooky and other media sources that are easily scanned today so finding more details may be difficult. I believe there is enough to be getting on with.
    Time for my bed

    TD
     
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  10. Wow, TD,

    thanks for the fast reaction. This is new information for me. Here is a picture of the temporary grave on our street until November 1947.

    voorlopig graf.jpg
     
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  11. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  12. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    He will have found it at Find my Past

    Kyle
     
  13. Hi Kyle,

    I already knew that war memorial. There's also a war memorial in St. Michael's Church in Tenbury Wells and you can find his name on the cross of sacrifice there.

    Thank you for your help!

    Paul
     
  14. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Notice on 8RB post three men buried at the same location including another DLI soldier 4460551 Donaldson ? This may be relevant to a future enquiry so I asked a question and received this reply.Relevant?
    Kyle
     
  15. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Welcome to the forum, Paul.

    For clarity’s sake, although the 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry had been a battalion of the 151st Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, all through WWII, following 50 Div being broken-up and converted to a training cadre (around 1 December 1944), the 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry was transferred to the 131st Infantry Brigade, 7th Armoured Division (The ‘Desert Rats’).

    L/Cpl Ryder was serving with the latter Division when killed. The same applies to Pte J Donaldson.

    Met vriendelijke groet,

    Steve.
     
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  16. harkness

    harkness Well-Known Member

    Parents:

    1939 REGISTER TRANSCRIPTION
    The Little Green, Hayes, Tenbury, Worcestershire
    NAME DOB OCCUPATION
    James Ryder 04 Apr 1859 Farm Labourer (Retired)
    Martha Ryder 11 Dec 1869 Unpaid Domestic Duties

    Daughter (possibly):

    Marriages Dec 1961
    RYDER, Barbara H HARRIS Stafford 9b 1027
    HARRIS, Anthony M RYDER Stafford 9b 1027
     
  17. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    See post no 6 & 9

    TD
     
  18. harkness

    harkness Well-Known Member

    Sorry, I'm still asleep. Two children from that marriage do you reckon?
     
  19. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Yes 2 - Mabel died at birth or just after, and Barbara H who married Anthony M Harris in 1961

    TD
     
  20. harkness

    harkness Well-Known Member

    Sorry (again)! I meant two children from the Harris/Ryder marriage.
     

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