Lieut QM Charles Ernest Ryder

• Age: 39
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• Died Saturday 6th November 1915
• Commemorated at: Tidworth Mil Cem Hants
  Panel Ref: E.4

Born in Liverpool in early 1876, Charles Ernest Ryder was the eldest son of William Charles Ryder and his wife Sarah (née Beck) who were married on the 18th June 1871 at St Stephen the Martyr's Church, Edge Hill, Liverpool. William was a sailmaker of 14 Houghton Street, his father, Thomas, was a sailmaker, whilst Sarah was of Hoylake, her father, John, was deceased. He was baptised on 12th March 1876 at St Mary’s Church, Edge Hill, Liverpool.

On the 1881 Census the family lived at 39 Royston Street, Liverpool, all four of their children having been born in Liverpool. His father, William C., is aged 34, and is a sailmaker, his mother, Sarah, is aged 31. There are four children declared in the household; Helen is a scholar, who is aged 7, Charles E., is a scholar aged 5, Emma, is aged 3, and Ethel, is aged 1.

On the 1891 Census they have moved to Cable Road, Hoylake and are living with his grandfather, Thomas Ryder, who is aged 59, and is a sailmaker. His father, William C., is aged 43, and is, like his father, a sailmaker, his mother, Sarah, is aged41. There are six children declared in the household; They are;  Helen, aged 17, Charles E., aged 15, Emma, aged 13, Ethel, aged 11, Thomas, aged 9 with William, aged 3.

Charles enlisted in 1894 in the Ordnance Store Corps with service No.3341. He cannot be found on the 1901 and 1911 Censuses, presumably he is away with the Corps. [It provided vital lines of communication, supply dumps, and were heavily relied upon during the Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902)].

There is no trace of his father on the 1901 Census, but Sarah, still married, is living at Banks Parade, Hoylake, with her three children - Emma, a teacher; Ethel, aged 21 years; and William, aged13 years.

His father, died, aged 61, in 1908 in Liverpool.

By 1911, Sarah is widowed and lives with her daughter, Ethel, at 29 Charles Berrington Road, Liverpool.

Charles enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on the 03rd September 1914, he was an ex-NCO, height 6' 1", weight 186lbs, fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England. He had previously served in the AOC (Army Ordnance Corps) for 8 years and for 4 years on the Reserve. His next of kin was his brother Sgt J, H. Ryder of 21 KLR at Prescot in September 1914. 

Charles' service records show the following;

21.09.14 - Promoted to Col. Sgt (Colour Sergeant).

21.07.14 - Promoted to R.Q.M.S. (Regimental Quarter-Master Sergeant).

17.08.15 - Promoted to Hon. Quarter-Master Lieutenant.

The Liverpool Daily Post reported on Monday 30th August 1915:

GRANTHAM CAMP.

BISHOP OF LIVERPOOL'S VISIT.

Considerable interest was manifested by the troops of the 89th Infantry Brigade - the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th City Battalions of the King's (Liverpool Regiment) - at Belton Park, Grantham, in the visit of the Bishop of Liverpool to the camp last Friday evening. His lordship, who is spending several days of his holiday in his visit to the camp, was met at the station by Captain Linton Smith, chaplain to the brigade, and Major Watson, who accompanied him by motor to Belton Park.

On arrival, his lordship proceeded first to the Church of England Men's Society Pavilion, where a reception was held. A very large number of the troops were presented to the bishop, who manifested the keenest possible interest in the stories of camp life they related to him.

Yesterday morning he conducted three church parades in the brigade - one each for the 1st and 2nd Battalions, the 3rd and 4th Battalions, and the 11th South Lancashire and the Army Service Corps.

In the evening he preached in the Grantham Parish Church. The bishop will conclude his visit this morning, when he will return to Liverpool.

Two changes have taken place in the 17th (1st City) Battalion of the King's (Liverpool Regiment), Hon. Lieutenant and Quarter-master C. A. Emery being appointed adjutant in place of Captain H. H. Robinson, who has resigned to do duty with his company; and Regimental Quartermaster-sergeant C. E. Ryder has succeeded Lieutenant Emery as quartermaster. Lieutenant H. Higson, transport officer of the same battalion, has been transferred to the 21st (Reserve) Battalion.

Two members of the 18th (2nd City) Battalion the King's (Liverpool Regiment), have received commissions, Quartermaster-sergeant Prendiville (No. 3 Company) as second-lieutenant in the 21st (Reserve) Battalion K.L.R., and Private Birch as second-lieutenant in the 15th (Reserve) Royal Fusiliers.

Of the 30th Divisional Cycle Corps, members of which have been selected from all the battalions at Belton Park, Lieutenant Seys (late of the 17th Liverpool) is second in command, and other officers attached are Lieutenant Tetlow (late 19th Liverpool) and Second-Lieutenant Grant (late 20th Liverpool).

In the early hours of 06^th November 1915 Charles Ernest was found shot by the side of the road near Stonehenge, with a bullet wound in his head and a service revolver by his side. He was still alive when found, and was subsequently taken to the surgery of a Doctor Browne in nearby Amesbury. From there, he was taken to Tidworth Hospital, but died on the way. He was aged thirty-nine. 

At an inquest held on Tuesday the 09th November 1915, Lieutenant D H Scott gave evidence that the previous week, Ryder had found his duties particularly trying, preparing for the Battalion's departure from Larkhill and the heavy work had worried him. On November 4th, he had broken down and after medical attention, had been taken off military duty, but did not leave the camp. He had been found to be missing on the morning of Saturday the 06th November which had caused consternation amongst the whole unit. 

The Coroner's verdict was that Ryder had committed suicide whilst temporarily insane.

He was buried in Tidworth Military Cemetery, Wiltshire, on 10th November 1915, in grave E4, the ceremony being conducted by S C Carver, Chaplain to the Forces. There is no family inscription on his headstone.

There are 568 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

The Coventry Evening Telegraph of 10th November 1915 reported the death of Charles Ryder as follows:

Officer Shot.

"A Tidworth jury Tuesday returned verdict suicide during temporary insanity in relation to the death of Charles Ernest Ryder, Lieutenant Quartermaster in the 17th King's Liverpool Regiment. On Saturday evening he was found on the road near Stonehenge with bullet wound in his head and a revolver by his side. He died before he reached the hospital. Lieutenant Scott, of the same regiment, said that Lieutenant Ryder was a popular officer. Last Thursday broke down in health and had to give up his duties. He was very depressed"

His mother Sarah received his Soldiers Effects made up of 5 payments totalling around £80, no pension record has been found.

As he had no overseas service in the Great War he did not receive any medals.

Probate 1916:-

RYDER Charles Ernest of 29 Charles Berrington-road Wavertree Liverpool electrician lieutenant and quarter-master 17th service battalion King's Liverpool regiment died 6 November 1915 in an ambulance between Bulford hospital Wiltshire and Tidworth Hospital Hampshire Administration (with Will) Liverpool 10 January to Sarah Ryder widow. Effects £240 9s. 6d.

On the 1921 Census at Charles Berrington Rd, his widowed mother, Sarah, is aged 68, Beatrice is aged 36, and daughter in law Elizabeth Ena Ryder is aged 27.

His mother, died aged 79, in 1928.

Her death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on Wednesday 03rd October 1928;

RYDER - October 2, at 29, Charles Berrington-road, Wavertree, in her 80th year, SARAH RYDER. (Friends please accept this -the only- intimation.)

We currently have no further information on Charles Ernest Ryder, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.