241709 Pte. Richard Conrad Duttson Ryer British Army 9th (Queen's Own Yorkshire Dragoons) Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry from:Cosham, Portsmouth, Hampshire (d.14th May 1944) Richard Ryer was my grandfather. He was the second son of William Conrad Ryer of Nova Scotia, Canada and Merwal Veda Ryer of Yorkshire. Richard's father had served as a Sergeant in the Canadian 26th Battalion during the First World War, and was awarded the D.C.M. for gallantry. Richard's mother, Merwal, had been his father's nurse when he was removed to hospital in England for injuries sustained in battle. Both of Richard's brothers, York and David, also served in battle in the Second World War, David together with Richard at Anzio.
Richard was killed in battle at Anzio on 14th May 1944. He left a wife, Laurie Hayward Ryer and twin daughters, Shirley Ida Ryer and Laurie Brenda Ryer, born in August, 1944, who he had never met.
His older sister Joan related that Richard's brother David, proceeding later from the rear, requested permission to deviate from his unit to pay his respects to his elder brother. His request was denied.
Twenty years after his death, Joan visited her brother's grave at the Anzio Beachhead Cemetery.
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