Walter Potter Ritchie VC (27 March 1892 – 17 March 1965) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. The award was made for his actions during the Battle of the Somme in the First World War.

Early life

Walter Potter Ritchie was born in Glasgow on 27 March 1892, one of six children of Walter Ritchie, an ironworker, and his wife Helen . He was educated at a school in the Cowcaddens area of Glasgow. After completing his schooling he became a blacksmith's apprentice but soon enlisted in the British Army, joining the 8th Cameronians despite being underage. He was later transferred to the 2nd Battalion of The Seaforth Highlanders as a drummer.

First World War

On the outbreak of the First World War, Ritchie was sent with his unit to France, as part of the 4th Division, British Expeditionary Force. He fought in the Battle of Mons in August 1914 and then in the First Battle of the Aisne the following month. He was wounded in October 1914 near Armentières. The Seaforth Highlanders later moved to the Somme sector, stationed near Mailly-Maillet.

On 1 July 1916, the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, the 4th Division was tasked with capturing the ground to the north of Beaumont Hamel. Its advance was preceded by an artillery barrage and once it ceased, the troops of the division moved forward in a series of waves. Ritchie's battalion was part of the second wave. The advance faltered due to heavy machine gun fire and due to the extent of casualties among the officers, some of the British soldiers began falling back. Ritchie, seeing this, climbed to the parapet of a trench and sounded his bugle, which he carried with him, contrary to orders. The bugle call rallied the British soldiers and helped restore order and reverse the withdrawal. After the battle, there were only around 80 survivors from his battalion.

For his actions on 1 July, Ritchie was recommended for the Victoria Cross (VC). The VC, instituted in 1856, was the highest award for valour that could be bestowed on a soldier of the British Empire. The citation, published in the London Gazette read:

Ritchie was presented with his VC by King George V on 25 November 1916 in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. After the VC investiture, he went to Glasgow for a period of leave but declined to talk to friends about his experiences during the VC action. He later received the French Croix de Guerre, which was presented to him by Lieutenant General Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston in December 1916. By the end of the war, he had been wounded a total of five times, as well as being gassed twice.

The bugle on which he rallied his comrades during the Battle of the Somme is held at the Queen's Own Highlanders Museum at Inverness. On 1 July 2016, a hundred years to the day of Ritchie's VC action, a centenary paving stone outside the People's Palace in Glasgow was unveiled in his memory. Fifty members of his family were present at the ceremony.

Notes

References

  • Location of grave and VC medal (Edinburgh)