Charles Henry Dudley Ryder


Charles Henry Dudley Ryder, was an English army officer and explorer. An officer of the Royal Engineers, British Army, he served as Surveyor General of India from 1919 to 1924. During his career, he undertook a number of surveys; including in China's Yunnan province, Tibet and the Himalayas, the North-West Frontier Province, the Turco-Persian border, in Mesopotamia, and throughout India.

Personal life

In 1892, Ryder married Ida Josephine Grigg. Together they had six children: Three daughters were born in the 19th-century and three sons born in the 20th-century. His two eldest sons were killed in action in the Second World War. His youngest son, Robert Ryder, was a Royal Navy officer who was awarded the Victoria Cross and later became a Member of Parliament.

Honours

In 1905, he was awarded the Patron's Medal by the Royal Geographical Society "For his survey of Yunnan and his work in connection with the Tibet Mission". That same year, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order "in recognition of the services with the Tibet Mission Escort".
In the 1915 King's Birthday Honours, Ryder was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire following his time in charge of the "Turco-Persian Frontier Commission, Survey Detachment". In the 1922 King's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.