Walter Potter Ritchie
Drummer, 2nd Battalion. Seaforth Highlanders
- Register No.
- 1056 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Drummer all Drummers →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion. Seaforth Highlanders all Seaforth Highlanders VCs →
- Date of action
- 1 July 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 6th September, 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Born
- 27th March 1892 at Glasgow, Scotland
- Died
- 17th March, 1965 at Edinburgh, Scotland
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
To the North of Beaumont Hamel, France, on 1st July 1916, Drummer Ritchie, under heavy machine gun fire and bombs, continually sounded the "Charge" whilst standing on the parapet of an enemy trench. This served to rally many men of the various units who, having lost their commanders, were wavering and wanting to retire from the fighting. During the day, over ground that was swept by enemy fire, Drummer Ritchie carried messages
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
RITCHIE, Walter Potter. (reg No. 1056).
Drummer. 2nd Battalion. Seaforth Highlanders *.
London Gazetted on 6th September, 1916.
Born on 27th March 1892 at Glasgow, Scotland.
Died on 17th March, 1965 at Edinburgh, Scotland.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: To the North of Beaumont Hamel, France, on 1st July 1916, Drummer Ritchie, under heavy machine gun fire and bombs, continually sounded the "Charge" whilst standing on the parapet of an enemy trench. This served to rally many men of the various units who, having lost their commanders, were wavering and wanting to retire from the fighting. During the day, over ground that was swept by enemy fire, Drummer Ritchie carried messages.
* Duke of Albany's Ross-shire Buffs.
RIVERS Jacob(Reg. No.1057 Private 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire And Derbyshire Regiment.).
London Gazetted on 28th April 1915.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Sherwood Forester's Museum, Nottingham Castle, Nottingham.
Born on 17th Nov 1881 at No 4, Court 12, Wide Yard Derby.
Died on 12th March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle in France.
Memorial Le Touret Memorial France; His Mother's grave, Nottingham Rd., Cemetery, Derby.
Digest of Citation reads: On 12th March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle, France, Private Rivers, on his own initiative, crept to within a few yards of a very large number of the enemy who were massed on the flank of an advanced company of his battalion, and hurled bombs on them. His action caused the enemy to retire, and so relieved the situation. Private Rivers performed a second similar act of great bravery on the same day, again causing the enemy to withdraw. He was killed on this occasion.
Alf's notes on his life
RIVERS Jacob(Reg. No.1057 Private 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire And Derbyshire Regiment.). London Gazetted on 28th April 1915. VC Medal's Custodian is the Sherwood Forester's Museum, Nottingham Castle, Nottingham. Born on 17th Nov 1881 at No 4, Court 12, Wide Yard Derby. Died on 12th March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle in France. Memorial Le Touret Memorial France; His Mother's grave, Nottingham Rd., Cemetery, Derby. Digest of Citation reads: On 12th March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle, France, Private Rivers, on his own initiative, crept to within a few yards of a very large number of the enemy who were massed on the flank of an advanced company of his battalion, and hurled bombs on them. His action caused the enemy to retire, and so relieved the situation. Private Rivers performed a second similar act of great bravery on the same day, again causing the enemy to withdraw. He was killed on this occasion.
* Duke of Albany's Ross-shire Buffs.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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