Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Samuel Bagshaw Ryder and Herbert, His Son.

In 1914, Canadians, as part of the British Empire, rushed off to fight the Germans and their Allies. The Ryders were no exception. Enlisting in the home guard Samuel Bagshaw Ryder (my Grandfather's grandfather) would be called to guard railway bridges in the Rocky Mountains. Samuel's two eldest sons, Samuel John and Herbert Henry, both enlisted in the forces to fight eventually reaching the trenches in France.

There are several more stories which I will later share however, there is one story in particular that I want to share here.

Samuel John enlisted into the army first, Herbert sometime after. Like other recruits Herbert went through training at the Vernon military camp before being shipped to Vancouver where his unit boarded a train and was then sent out East before boarding a ship and off to Europe.

As Herbert was preparing for his departure to Europe, his father, Samuel, was on the move as well, being sent to guard railway bridges. Samuel Bagshaw was in the Rockies long enough that Herbert knew he was there and where to see him. When Herbert's train reached his father's bridge Herbert and Samuel were able to touch hands one last time.

In April 1917, Herbert was killed at the Battle of Vimy Ridge with hundreds of other Canadians. An older gentleman that my grandfather knew said he remembers watching Herbert "go over the top."



Herbert on the left




Samuel Bagshaw on the right

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5 comments:

  1. templewoodAugust 18, 2012 at 6:01 PM

    My grandmother was Isabella Ryder, Samuel Bagshaw's sister. I wondered if you had any info on their grandfather, John Clarke Ryder. Their father and brother were also called John Clarke Ryder. I'd love to hear about the Ryders in Canada too!

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    Replies
    1. Ryders in the stormAugust 28, 2012 at 1:36 AM

      We have lots to tell and want to learn about our family abroad as well. Are you in England? We would to exchange contact info somehow

      Delete
  2. rakinginthecashOctober 16, 2016 at 7:03 PM

    I am John Stephen Ryder's granddaughter and i can sure see my grampa in his dads face

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  3. rakinginthecashOctober 16, 2016 at 7:05 PM

    I am John Stephen Ryder's granddaughter and i can sure see my grampa in his dads face

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownNovember 24, 2017 at 8:03 AM

    I am Robert John Ryder's granddaughter(brother of Sam and Bert) and my daughter and a friend have recently been able to access both Herbert and Samuel's war records which the Canadian Government has now digitized. I have lots of new info if you are interested. Contact: bjscott@shaw.ca (Beverley)

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