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This data is related to World War 1
Lieutenant

William Henry Ritter

Service Number N/A
Military Unit 15th Sqdn Royal Flying Corps
Date of birth 15 Nov 1894
Date of Death 02 Jun 1917 (23 Years Old)
Place of Birth Nottingham
Employment, Education or Hobbies Educated at Nottingham Boys' High School. He was a member of Nottingham Hockey Club. He was a student in 1911.
Family History

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.

Military History

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.

Extra Information

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)

Photographs