RYDER, Thomas

Thomas Ryder was the son of Joseph and Mary Maria Ryder of Lye and attended Wollescote school. He enlisted, possibly as late as January 1918, and joined the 12th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. They were sent quickly to reinforce the troops holding the trenches near St Quentin, facing the Hindenburg Line and expecting attack in March. The German offensive forced them to retreat across the old Somme battle-field. When they were relieved, they were attacked again in April in the second German Spring offensive. But in August came the start of the Advance to Victory. The opening contest was for the Outtersterne Ridge which was captured on the 16th August. They advanced to the Lys and then to Merville. However, one of the casualties was Private Thomas Ryder who was killed on the 28th August at 18 years of age. He is buried in Caestre Military Cemetery (I F 28) and commemorated on the Lye and Wollescote, Lye church and Wollescote school Memorials.