Born on the 9th of January 1831, the son of George Carr Glyn, a banker, of The Hall, Stammer Park, Middlesex, and his wife, Marrianne, daughter of Pascal Grenfell, of Taplow House, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, M.P. for Marlow, and later for Penrhyn, Cornwall.
His father later became a Peer of the Realm as the 1st Baron Wolverton of Wolverton, Buckinghamshire, on the 14th of December 1869.
He was also a Governor of Harrow School, and Chairman of the Committees of the Railway and the Banker's Clearing Houses.
One of his brothers, George, served as an officer in the R.B. during the Crimean campaign and was present at the attack on the Redan.
Another brother, Henry Curzon, served in the Navy, becoming a Vice Admiral, C.B. C.S.I., Order of the Medjidie, 3rd Class, and the Gold medal for distinguished conduct under Omar Pasha in 1854. He was present before Sebastopol when under naval bombardment in 1854-55 and later A.D.C. to the Queen.
Cornet in the 8th Hussars: 16th of April 1852.
Lieutenant, 8th Hussars: 26th of October 1854.
Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade: 17th of June 1855.
Captain in the 1st Battalion of the Rifle Brigade: 10th of August 1855.
Brevet Major, Rifle Brigade: 10th of July 1858.
Died, "from disease of the spleen", while returning to England aboard the P&O Company Steamer "Colombo" (the ship being off Aden) on the 11th of December 1859, aged 28 years.
He was buried on the same day in Steamer Point Cemetery, Aden, by the Revd. Luke Craddock.
The Steamer Point Cemetery is also called Barrack Hill Cemetery and is close to Christ Church, Steamer Point.
1999: The cemetery is now not in a very good state and has been neglected for many years. A survey carried out in 1998 showed no record of an existing headstone for him — if indeed, under the circumstances, one was ever erected.
2000: it is now known that the cemetery has been virtually destroyed, much of it being cleared and levelled to make a football pitch. The few remaining stones able to be rescued are now around the walls of the restored Chapel.
Captain Glyn served the Eastern campaign of 1854-55, with the 8th Hussars, including Lord Cardigan's reconnaissance on the Danube, affairs of the Bulganak and MacKenzies's Farm, battles of the Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, the Tchernya and the Siege and fall of Sebastopol. (Medal and Clasps.)
The clasps for the Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman are recorded on the 8th Hussar rolls and that for Sebastopol on that of the Rifle Brigade.
Promoted to a Captaincy in the 1st Rifle Brigade in August 1855 and served in the reserve at the storming of the Redan.
Served in the Indian campaign of 1857-59 with the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, including the Siege and capture of Lucknow and subsequent operations in Oude, including the capture of Newabgungee and several affairs with the enemy, also the operations on the Nepalese frontier. (Medal and Clasp.)
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol, the Turkish Crimean medal, and the Indian Mutiny medal with clasp for Lucknow.
Extract from the "United Services Gazette", 7th of January 1860:
"It is with sincere regret that we record the death of Major Riversdale Richard Glyn on his way home from India. He was not only a favourite with his brother officers and men of the Battalion, but he was esteemed and well-regarded by all in the British Army with whom, though young, his varied service had thrown him into contact.
Kind, generous, frank, courageous and cheerful, he possessed to the highest degree the character of a good friend and gallant soldier.
During the war in the Crimea he was at one time a Subaltern in the 8th Hussars on duty with the escort of Lord Raglan and never missed a tour of duty. He transferred whilst in the Crimea into the Battalion in which he saw so much arduous service.
After the siege of Sebastopol was over he was sent with his battalion to India, where he was present at some of the most serious affairs and in every one of which he displayed the same qualities.
All through Oude and up to the Tiera, through all the winter and summer campaigns he marched on foot with his men, till the dispersing of the rebels brought to him and his Brigade a short rest: which only developed the seeds of the disease planted by exposure.
The voyage home came too late. He was one more of the soldiers who have died after the battle was won, of wounds gained in the struggle."
Inscription on a memorial tablet at Stanbridge, near Wimborne, Co. Dorset (the family chapel of Gaunt House):
"In memory of Major Riversdale Richard Glyn of the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade. Fifth son of George Carr and Marrianne Glyn, who died on his passage from India and was buried at Aden, Dec. 11th 1859. Aged 28.
He served in the 8th Hussars during the Crimean War and was engaged in the battles of the Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman. Promoted to a Company of the Rifle Brigade, he continued with that Regt. before Sebastopol, until the conclusion of the war in 1856.
On the outbreak of the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857 he sailed with his battalion for India, and was present at the capture of Lucknow, and in every action in which it was engaged during the summer and winter campaigns, till the suppression of the rebellion.
He fell a victim to the effects of the climate, exposure and hardships he had undergone in the unflinching discharge of his duties, possessing to the highest degree the characteristics of a good friend and a gallant soldier.
Kind, generous, brave, few were more popular, and none more beloved."