Walter Potter Ritchie
Walter Potter Ritchie | |
|---|---|
The Seaforth Highlanders | |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Croix de Guerre |
Walter Potter Ritchie
Early life
Walter Potter Ritchie was born in
First World War
On the outbreak of the First World War, Ritchie was sent with his unit to France, as part of the
On 1 July 1916, the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, the 4th Division was tasked with capturing the ground to the north of Beaumont Hamel. Its advance was preceded by an artillery barrage and once it ceased, the troops of the division moved forward in a series of waves. Ritchie's battalion was part of the second wave. The advance faltered due to heavy machine gun fire and due to the extent of casualties among the officers, some of the British soldiers began falling back. Ritchie, seeing this, climbed to the parapet of a trench and sounded his bugle, which he carried with him, contrary to orders. The bugle call rallied the British soldiers and helped restore order and reverse the withdrawal. After the battle, there were only around 80 survivors from his battalion.[1]
For his actions on 1 July, Ritchie was recommended for the
No. 68 Dmr. Walter Ritchie, Sea Highrs. For most conspicuous bravery and resource, when on his own initiative, he stood on the parapet of an enemy trench, and, under heavy machine-gun fire and bomb attacks, repeatedly sounded the "Charge" thereby rallying many men of various units who, having lost their leaders were wavering and beginning to retire. This action showed the highest type of courage and personal initiative. Throughout the day Drummer Ritchie carried messages over fire-swept ground, showing the greatest devotion to duty.
— London Gazette, 8 September 1916[4]
Ritchie was presented with his VC by
Returning to active duty with the Seaforth Highlanders on the Western Front,[1] his battalion would go on to be involved in several engagements for the remainder of the war, including actions around Arras and the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917 and the Battle of the Lys and the fighting along the Hindenburg Line the following year.[6] By the end of the war, he had been wounded a total of five times, as well as being gassed twice.[2]
Later life
Remaining in the British Army after the war, Ritchie was transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders.
During the Second World War, Ritchie rejoined the British Army and served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps on the Home Front until his discharge in 1941, on account of his health.[2] Ritchie died on 17 March 1965 in Edinburgh and his remains cremated.[1]
Medals and legacy
As well as the VC and Croix de Guerre, Ritchie was entitled to the
The bugle on which he rallied his comrades during the Battle of the Somme is held at the Queen's Own Highlanders Museum at Inverness.[1] On 1 July 2016, a hundred years to the day of Ritchie's VC action, a centenary paving stone outside the People's Palace in Glasgow was unveiled in his memory. Fifty members of his family were present at the ceremony.[8]
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Gliddon 2011, pp. 46–48.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Walter P Ritchie". The Comprehensive Guide to the Victoria & George Cross. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ Ashcroft 2007, pp. 8–10.
- ^ "No. 29740". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 September 1916. p. 8871.
- ^ "Glasgow V.C. Decorated by the King" (PDF). Daily Record. 28 November 1916. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- ^ "2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders during the Great War". The Wartime Memories Project. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- )
- ^ "Glasgow unveils two Victoria Cross centenary paving stones to city soldiers". Glasgow City Council. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
References
- Ashcroft, Michael (2007) [2006]. Victoria Cross Heroes. London, United Kingdom: Headline Review. ISBN 978-0-7553-1633-5.
- Gliddon, Gerald (2011) [1991]. Somme 1916. ISBN 978-0-7524-6303-2.
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Edinburgh)