Francis Edward Louis Ritchie
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of James and Sarah Ann Richie and the brother of Hester, Katherine, Christine, Gilbert Douglas Masterton, Eunice May and Florence Margaret Ritchie. In 1901 they lived at 46, Lees Hill Street, Sneinton and in 1911 at 70, Wells Road (both Nottingham). At the time of Ritchie's enlistment in Australia, his mother's address was 18, The Promenade, Victoria Park, Nottingham. Francis emigrated between 2/4/1911 and 17/8/1914. Post war, his address was 'Fermanagh', 2, Garden Street, Kogarah, New South Wales.
3rd Bn He attested at Kensington, New South Wales (Sydney) 17/8/1914. He was promoted corporal 1/8/1915 and sergeant 24/3/1916. He served at Gallipoli before evacuation to Cairo and shipment via Alexandria (22/3/1916) to Marseilles (28/3/1916). He was awarded the military cross for 'Bravery in the Field' in France, was wounded 21/11/1916 (gsw left forearm), hospitalised at Weymouth (UK) He returned to Australia aboard HT Ulysses 14/4/1917 and was discharged 17/5/1917 (medically unfit).
The circumstances of Ritchie being placed on the Mapperley memorial in error are unclear. October 1917 correspondence between his mother and military authorities in Australia, via the War Office, shows that she was aware Francis had been discharged the previous spring but had no knowledge of his whereabouts. He is buried in Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland, New South Wales. Many thanks to Julian Putkowski for this identification and research. David Nunn
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