Ref.no. Portrait of Ryle Roberts courtesy of Dennis Ayling. Image may be subject to copyright restrictions
Rank:
Leading Stoker
Birth date:
11.12.1892
Birth Place:
Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Service Number:
K9820
Date Joined:
10.01.1911
Date Discharged:
07.06.1921
Death date:
September 1971
Place of death:
Staffordshire, United Kingdom

Display No. 16B

ROBERTS, Ryle Steurman

Ryle Roberts enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class in 1911. He undertook his initial training in the shore establishment HMS Vivid II at Devonport, Plymouth. He continued to serve ashore in HMS Vivid II and afloat in HMS Carnarvon prior to joining HMS New Zealand in 1912 and was on board during the ship’s maiden voyage to New Zealand in 1913.

At the outbreak of the First World War Roberts was still serving in HMS New Zealand and stayed with the ship throughout the war. He saw action during the major naval battles of Heligoland Bight, Dogger Bank, and Jutland.

After the war Roberts served in several Royal Navy vessels including HM Ships Theseus and Grafton, as well as back ashore in Vivid II. After his discharge from the Royal Navy in 1921, he returned to the United Kingdom and spent the rest of his working life as a railway fireman.

The 1914-1915 Star, The British War Medal, The Victory Medal

Awarded medal(s)

Medal Description [Left to Right]:

The 1914-1915 Star

The 1914-15 Star was awarded to servicemen and servicewomen who served in the First World War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 in any “theatre of war”, provided they had not qualified for the 1914 Star. This included service at Gallipoli between 25 April 1915 and 31 December 1915, service in Egypt between 5 November 1914 and 31 December 1915, and service during the capture of German Samoa on 29 August 1914. Those eligible for the medal must have “served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war” during the relevant dates of operations in that area. The ribbon’s red, white and blue shaded and watered bands represent the flag of the United Kingdom.

The British War Medal

The British War Medal was instituted in 1919 to recognise the successful conclusion of the First World War (1914-1918). Its coverage was later extended to recognise service until 1920, recognising mine clearing operations at sea, and participation in operations in North and South Russia, the eastern Baltic, Siberia, the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.

The Victory Medal

The Victory Medal was awarded in the First World War to all those who had already qualified for the 1914 Star or the 1914-15 Star, and to most persons who had already qualified for the British War Medal. The Victory Medal was awarded to all New Zealand troops serving overseas, except for those who arrived in Samoa after 30 August 1914 and those serving in Great Britain only. It has a unique double rainbow ribbon.

A bronze spray of oak leaves on the medal ribbon denotes that the recipient was Mentioned in Despatches during the period that the medal recognises. To be Mentioned in Despatches a member of the armed forces has had their name mentioned in an official report, written by a superior officer, and sent to a higher command. The report would describe the individual’s gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy.