John Ripley
Corporal, 1st Battalion. Black Watch
- Register No.
- 1054 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal all Corporals →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion. Black Watch (register: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)) all Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) VCs →
- Date of action
- 9 May 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 29th June 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Born
- 30th August 1867 at Keith, Banffshire, Scotland
- Died
- 14th August 1933 at St Andrews, Fife, Scotland
Digest of citation
On 9th May 1915 at the Rue de la Boir, France, whilst leading his section in the assault on the right of his platoon, he was the first soldier to mount the German Parapet, from where, he directed the way through the gaps in the barbed wire entanglements, to his followers. His section followed him through a breach in the Parapet into the second line trench, which was the final objective in this part of the line. Corporal Ripley, along with seven or eight men, established themselves, blocked both flanks, set up a firing position, which they continued to defend until all Corporal Ripley's men had fallen, and he himself, had received a severe wound in his head
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
RIPLEY, John. (reg No. 1054).
Corporal. 1st Battalion. Black Watch. * London Gazetted on 29th June 1915.
Born on 30th August 1867 at Keith, Banffshire, Scotland.
Died on 14th August 1933 at St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Actual Memorial not known. Fife area.
Digest of Citation reads: On 9th May 1915 at the Rue de la Boir, France, whilst leading his section in the assault on the right of his platoon, he was the first soldier to mount the German Parapet, from where, he directed the way through the gaps in the barbed wire entanglements, to his followers. His section followed him through a breach in the Parapet into the second line trench, which was the final objective in this part of the line. Corporal Ripley, along with seven or eight men, established themselves, blocked both flanks, set up a firing position, which they continued to defend until all Corporal Ripley's men had fallen, and he himself, had received a severe wound in his head.
* Royal Highlanders.
* Royal Highlanders.
Actual Memorial not known. Fife area.
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