William Henry Ritter
Educated at Nottingham Boys' High School. He was a member of Nottingham Hockey Club. He was a student in 1911.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Willam Henry Ritter was born in 1894 at Nottingham, he was the son of Louis and Mary Charlotte Ritter and the brother of Irene Ritter of Chestnut Grove, Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire
.German-born Louis became a naturalised British subject on 25th August 1892. His papers were signed by one H. H. Asquith.
In the 1911 census the family are living at Chestnut Grove, Radcliffe on Trent, Mary Charlotte 39 yrs born in Frankfurt, Germany, she is married, she is living with here two children, William Henry 17 yrs a student and Irene 11 yrs a scholar, she states eh has been married for 18 yrs and has had 4 children, however 2 died in infancy or early childhood.
Lieutenant William Henry Ritter, 15 Squadron Royal Flying Corps, was wounded in 1916. He was killed in an accident while flying on 2nd June 1917. An observer in an R.E.8, he failed to secure the Lewis machine gun which swung round on its mount and killed him. He is buried in Varennes Military Cemetery IK 35.Information courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
In memoriam published 3rd June 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “RITTER. – In loving memory of W. H. Ritter, Lieut. R.F.C., dear and only son of Mrs. and Mr. Ritter, Radcliffe-on-Trent, killed whilst flying in France, June 2nd, 1917.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
Nottingham Evening Post , ‘Roll of Honour’, 7 June 1917: ‘Ritter. On June 2nd, WH Ritter, Lieut., RFC, beloved and only son of Mr and Mrs L Ritter, Radcliffe-on-Trent, killed through accident whilst flying.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
William Henry Ritter
Photo from Nottingham High School WW1 Book of Remembrance. Courtesy of Rosie Collins