25th County of London Cyclist Battalion
The London Regiment


 George John RIDLER



George was born on the 18 Feb 1883 in Paddington, the son of John Ridler of Brockhurst, Kent, (Post Master, Bookseller & Stationer) and Magdalen (nee Hutchinson) of Toronto, Canada.

He started his service prior to 1908 in the 26th Middlesex Cyclists, the forerunner to the 25th County of London Cyclists. He joined the 25th London when it was newly formed from the 26th Middlesex (Cyclist) Volunteer Rifle Corps in 1908.

Army Service Record
Enlistment - 30 Apr 1908
Unit - 25th Battalion County of London Regt. (Cyclists), No.171
Previous service - 26th Middlesex (Cyclists) V.R.C.
Occupation - Clerk
Employer - The New Zealand Insurance Company
Address - 24 Cranfield Rd, Brockley.
Next of kin - Father - John Ridler, 185 Brockley Rd., S.E.
Annual Training - Battle (Sussex), Sgt., 22-29 Aug 1908,
                         - Lewes, Sgt., 25 Jul to 1 Aug 1909
Date of discharge - 31 Mar 1910 - Termination of engagement.

Chelsea Pensioner records - request from administrator.
 
 
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
Army & Navy Records - The National Archives
Photo - Matthew Titthecott


 

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