Richard Kirby Ridgeway
Captain, Bengal Staff Corps
- Register No.
- 1052 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain all Captains →
- Unit
- Bengal Staff Corps all Bengal Staff Corps VCs →
- Date of action
- 22 November 1879 on this day → all of 1879 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second Naga Hills Expedition
- London Gazette
- 11th May, 1880 on this day → all of 1880 →
- Born
- 18th August 1848 at Oldcastle, County Meath, Ireland
- Died
- 11th October 1924 at Harrogate, Yorkshire
- Memorial / grave
- Lawnswood Crematorium, Leeds , Yorkshire
Digest of citation
Captain Ridgeway showed conspicuous gallantry throughout the attack on Konoma, India, on 22nd November 1879. In the final assault he rushed up to a barricade, attempting to tear down the surrounding planking, in order to gain entrance. It was during this act that he received a severe bullet wound in his left shoulder
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
RIDGEWAY, Richard Kirby. (reg No. 1052).
Captain. Bengal Staff Corps. * London Gazetted on 11th May, 1880.
Born on 18th August 1848 at Oldcastle, County Meath, Ireland.
Died on 11th October 1924 at Harrogate, Yorkshire.
Memorial at Lawnswood Crematorium, Leeds , Yorkshire.
Digest of Citation reads: Captain Ridgeway showed conspicuous gallantry throughout the attack on Konoma, India, on 22nd November 1879. In the final assault he rushed up to a barricade, attempting to tear down the surrounding planking, in order to gain entrance. It was during this act that he received a severe bullet wound in his left shoulder.
* And 44th Gurkha Rifles.
Additional information:. Colonel Ridgeway was created Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG). He was the son of Richard and Annette (née Adams) Ridgeway of Cavanagh, County Cavan, Ireland. In 1871 he married Amy, (Emily Maria) Fallan. Educated at a private school he then went on to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He joined the 96th Regiment as an Ensign (8th January 1868)-- promoted Lieutenant (14th Feb 1870)-- transferred to Indian Staff Corps (1872)-- became Adjutant 44th Gurkha Rifles (1874-80). He served in both of the Naga Hills Expeditions, he was Mentioned in Despatches in the first (1875), and in the second expedition (1879-80), he was severely wounded, was Mentioned in Despatches, recieved the Medal and clasp and was awarded the Victoria Cross. In 1891-95 he commanded the 44th Gurkha Rifles. He took part in the Manipur Expedition in 1891 and in 1897 in the Tirah Campaign, receiving Medals and Clasps for each.
Additional information
Colonel Ridgeway was created Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG). He was the son of Richard and Annette (née Adams) Ridgeway of Cavanagh, County Cavan, Ireland. In 1871 he married Amy, (Emily Maria) Fallan. Educated at a private school he then went on to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He joined the 96th Regiment as an Ensign (8th January 1868)-- promoted Lieutenant (14th Feb 1870)-- transferred to Indian Staff Corps (1872)-- became Adjutant 44th Gurkha Rifles (1874-80). He served in both of the Naga Hills Expeditions, he was Mentioned in Despatches in the first (1875), and in the second expedition (1879-80), he was severely wounded, was Mentioned in Despatches, recieved the Medal and clasp and was awarded the Victoria Cross. In 1891-95 he commanded the 44th Gurkha Rifles. He took part in the Manipur Expedition in 1891 and in 1897 in the Tirah Campaign, receiving Medals and Clasps for each.
* And 44th Gurkha Rifles.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Lawnswood Crematorium, Leeds , Yorkshire
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