Lot 378
A DSO GROUP OF FOUR TO COL W B RITCHIE S LANCS REGT.
A George V Distinguished Order awarded to Major William Buchanan Ritchie in the London Gazette dated 18th February 1915. A 1914 Star and bar named to Captain W B Ritchie S. Lan. R. British War & Victory Medals named to Lt Col W B Ritchie.
The latter with Oakleaf emblem on the ribbon.
William B Ritchie was the youngest son of Major J Ritchie who also served in the Prince of Wales Own South Lancashire Regt. Commissioned into the Regiment aged 21 years in 1899, his first service abroad was in France from the 14th August 1914.
Mentioned in Despatches for his actions during the Retreat from Mons, in the 19th October 1914 edition of the London Gazette.
His Distinguished Service Order was awarded in the London Gazette of the 18th February 1915. 'For services in connection with operations in the field.'
Again Mentioned in Despatches on the 4th January 1917.
Major Ritchie was Invalided home in October 1914, after his DSO recommendation was put forward for his rearguard action during the retreat.
He later took part in The Battle of The Somme in 1916. Again invalided home in 1917, he again returned to the Front until the Armistice. After the War he also served for two years in Ireland, thence Egypt and India.
His death aged 59 years was reported in the Gloucestershire Echo on the front page of the 13th September 1937 edition.
The death took place at his home at 'Halfacre' Leckhampton of Colonel Willaim Buchanan Ritchies DSO late the Prince of Wales Volunteers (South Lancashire Regt).
Colonel ritchie was the youngest son of the late Major J Ritchie S Lancs Regt. Colonel Ritchie commenced a long and distinguished army career in 1899 when he joined The Prince of Wales Volunteers at 21. His promotion was rapid Captain 1904, Major in 1914, Lt Col 1921 and Colonel 1927.
He went to France with the British Expeditionary Force on the outbreak of war and took part in the retreat from Mons. He was mentioned in despatches and invested with the Distinguished Service Order for a part he took in a rearguard action. In October 1914 he was invalided home but took command of and trained a service Battalion which he subsequently took to France in 1916 and took part in the Battle of the Somme. He remained in FGrance on active service when once more he was invalided home. He returned to France in 1918 and remained there until the armistice.
He served for two years as second in commandof the 1st battalion of the Prince of Wales Volunteers. In 1921 he commanded the 2nd Battalion of the regiment. After services in Egypt and India he returned to the UK, and was offered command of the South Staffordshire Territorial Brigade but ill health forced him to refuse the opportunity. Shortly afterwards he retired from the army.
In April 1914 Colonel richie married Ethel youngest daughter of the late Mr J D MacVicar MA who lived in Cheltenham for many years. Colonel Ritchie has lived in Cheltenham since his retirement in 1927. He was Secreatry of the Leckhampton Branch Conservative Association.
Born the 16th September 1877, he joined the 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade as a junior. After service in the Militia he joined the South Lancs Regt 25/2/1899.
He was firstly with the 2nd Battalion POW Volunteers, then commanded the 11th Battalion from April 1916 until 27th November 1917 Again with the 2nd Battalion in Egypt and India.
Included with copied photographs and career details etc, is a copy of him with King George V inspecting the Depot at Shoreham in 1927.
In Sir John French's despatches he states the Battle of the Aisne 5th-23rd of September Captain W B Ritchie South Lancashire Regt (most senior officer mentioned from the Regiment in that Gazette).
See Illustration
