Rider Greiffenhagen was born in London on 8 February 1892, the son of Maurice and Beatrice Mary Greiffenhagen (née Latham). He joined the Royal Navy as a Cadet on 15 January 1905, was promoted to Midshipman on 15 September 1909 and appointed to the battleship HMS COMMONWEALTH on the same date. He was promoted to Acting Sub Lieutenant on 10 October 1912 and confirmed Sub Lieutenant on 30 December 1912. Rider Greiffenhagen was appointed to the destroyer HMS TARTAR on 10 October 1912 and then HMS HARDY on 3 February 1914. Whilst serving in HMS HARDY he was wounded in action with the enemy off Hartlepool on 16 December 1914. He was Mentioned in Dispatches for service in the engagement of the Fourth Flotilla Destroyers with the enemy on the 16 December 1914. In his Citation for the Mention, Lieutenant Commander Crabbe wrote: ‘Though slightly wounded in the back and foot did not leave the bridge until the other wounded had been attended to.’

He was promoted to Lieutenant on 30 December 1914. Rider Greiffenhagen was appointed to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS BONAVENTURE ‘for Submarines‘ on 17 March 1915 – serving in C Class Submarines. His appointment to HMS E24 as First Lieutenant was dated 28 January 1916. E24 was lost with all hands in the North Sea on 24 March 1916. It is believed that the submarine was lost after hitting a mine.

Rider Greiffenhagen is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Panel No 11.