George John RIDLER |
His Navy records indicates that he was the Colour Sergt. in the 2/25th London battalion. The Roll of Honour below also indicates that he rejoined the 25th London Bn. in 1914 before transferring to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1915 De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1919 Ridler, George John, Lieut., Royal Naval Volunteer Force, Anson Battn. Royal Naval Division, eldest son of John Ridler of Brockley, Kent, by his wife Magdalen, daughter of James Hutchinson of Toronto Canada. Born London W. in 1883, educated at Aske's Boys School, Hatcham, Kent. Was a journalist employed in Missesota, U.S.A. by the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He returned to England on the outbreak of the war in August 1914 and re-joined the 25th Battn. (Cyclists) The London Regt. (T.F.) the same month of which regiment he had been an enthusiastic N.C.O. for some years prior to his departure for America in 1911. Gazetted Sub-Lieut. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 27 Apr 1915, promoted Lieut. 2 Jan 1918, served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli from Sep 1915. After the evacuation of the Peninsula he served with the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron. Proceeded to Salonika with the Anson Battn., Royal Naval Division in Feb 1916, and the following May served with the Battalion in France; and was wounded at the battle of the Ancre in Nov 1916, and invalides to England. While recovering wrote many articles for the Propaganda Press, which were published in neutral countries. In Dec 1917 he returned to France, and was killed in action near Martinpuich on 25 Mar 1918. His battalion commander wrote ; "He was an extremely gallant officer, and had won the admiration of all by his cheerfulness and courage in the face of danger and hardship", and another officer : "His utter disregard of self preservation in his keenness for his company's welfare was amazing," and the chaplin : "His ready wit and powers of talking endeared him to all who knew him, as also did his sibgleness of life and purpose". Lieut. Ridler, during his stay in America held the Bishop's Licence as a Lay Reader in the Diocese of Minnesota. He married in London in Aug 1915 to Beatrice (of 105 Melrose Ave, Cricklewood, N.W.) daughter of the late John Langsford, and they had a daughter Constance Beatrice Anson born in 1918. Acknowledgments |
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