Lance-Corporal James Alfred Ryder 2/6th (and 2/8th)-circumstances of MM?

[Mark Hone]

This man was the great-grandfather of one of my school battlefield tour 'veterans'. We know the circumstances of his death on the first day of the 'Kaiser's Battle' on 21st March 1918 but are trying to confirm where he won his Military Medal. My pupil believes from family accounts that it was at Third Ypres, which would probably mean during 66th Division's attack near Tyne Cot on 9th October 1917, which I shall be featuring on my 2012 tour. Can anyone confirm this? Unfortunately his servive record does not appear to have survived. My pupil also believes that prior to its disbandment in the February 1918 'cull' he was a member of 2/8th Manchesters so won the MM with that battalion rather than 2/6th.

[Wendi]

Hi Mark! 

Glad to see you are still firing the interest of the young 

From the London Gazette Supplement 14 January 1918

"His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to the undermentioned Non-Commissioned Officers and Men:-

Page 842

303395 Pte J A Ryder, Manch. R. (Manchester)"

I would think your next port of call should be the local papers.

Wendi 

[Bob.NB]

Mark,
According to Howard Williamson's new book "The Great War Medal Collectors Companion" Ryder's MM was most probably awarded for operations around Ypres in October 1917. This seems to tie in nicely with the family's account.
Bob B

[themonsstar]

His BWM & VM roll should tell you the Battalions he was with.

[mack]

his service number was one that was issued to the 2/8th manchesters.

mack

[Mark Hone]

Thanks for that. Unfortunately there's no reference to his MM in the battalion War Diary so the exact circumstances, location and date of the action for which he won the MM may remain uncertain. I shall try to track down his newpaper obituary and there may be an earlier mention of his MM as well. His great-grandson is one of my keenest historians and battlefield tourists. Sadly he wasn't able to come on our 2008 tour when we could have visited the site of James Ryder's death on 21st March 1918.

[tonyrod]

hi mark, a little info on this page,  Military Medal Roll Project,
http://themanchesters.org/forum/index.php?action=search2    tonyrod

[Wendi]

tony that link is not right 

[tisgrannie]

Tony the link doesn't open.
tis

[Mark Hone]

You may be interested to know that my pupil used his great-grandfather's story as the basis for his presentation on the topic of  'Why History Matters To Me' for the Bolton area heat of the Historical Association's annual 'Great Debate' competition for 6th Form History students held last week. He spoke with great passion and pride and answered questions from the judging panel at the end of his five-minute talk . Unfortunately he didn't win but his experience has whetted his appetite for another go next year.

[tonyrod]

sorry for the link  and not getting back sooner forgot i posted, any way try the first page,posted
on: May 14, 2010, 06:58:12 PM
The Ladysmith / Military Medal Roll Project / Re: THE MILITARY MEDAL ROLL 1914 -1919

tonyrod

[mack]

mark.
theres a photo of james,alfred ryder on this site

google. the slow lane 11 nov 2014

mack

[Mark Hone]

Thanks, Mack, that's better than the existing picture I had of him. Unfortunately I've lost touch with the former pupil who was related to him.