Richard Riddiford
Died 11 Feb 1919
- Service number
- WWI 9/1623 AWMM
- Also known as
- Richard Errol Wardell Riddiford AWMM
- Richard Riddiford AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- WW1 Captain/Military AWMM Divisional Headquarters AWMM
- War
- World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM
About
- Title
- —
- Forenames
- Richard AWMM
- Surname
- Riddiford AWMM
- Ingoa
- —
- Also known as
- Richard Errol Wardell Riddiford AWMM
- Richard Riddiford AWMM
- Service number
- WWI 9/1623 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
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- Religion
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Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
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- Date of birth
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- Place of birth
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- Birth notes
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- Address before enlistment
- Unknown AWMM Masterton, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
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- Next of kin
- Mrs R.L. Levin (sister), Westella, Feilding, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- Pre 13 Nov 1915 AWMM Single AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM
- Campaign
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- WWI 9/1623 AWMM
- Military service
- —
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
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Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) AWMM
Citation for Order of the British Empire (OBE): "For good work as Camp Commandant of the Division for a period of two years. This Officer's care. foresight, and organising ability has ensured at all times the smooth working of Divisional Headquarters. An officer of exceptional ability." (London Gazette, 1 January 1919, p. 13, Rec. No. 2815) AWMM - Military Cross (MC) AWMM
Citation for Military Cross (MC): "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a raid on the enemy's trenches. He took charge when the Commander had become a casualty, organised a covering party, which he led with skill during the withdrawal, and remained in 'no man's land' until every man was back." (London Gazette, 25 August 1916, p. 8469, Rec. No. 44) AWMM - Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) Twice AWMM
Citation for Mentioned in Despatches (MID): "Action: Flers, 13th September and following days. As officer in command of the Brigade 1st Line Transport, 2nd Lieut. Riddiford has never once failed to deliver rations and equipment to the battalions in the front line, frequently crossing the enemy's barrages. On the night of the 18th September a convoy of 16 wagons was held up on the Flers road, several casualties occurred amongst the men and horses, and the wagons had to be temporarily abandoned. In spite of this heavy barrage 2nd Lieut Riddiford by his own personal example and courage succeeded in getting his own wagons away and delivering the rations and ammunition to the troops in Flers. This artillery barrage interfering with the transport has been of nightly occurrence, and 2nd Lieut Riddiford and his men have had to face it every night during the time the Brigade was in the front line. He has always shown an utter disregard of danger and the Brigade has never once been short of rations owing to his personal bravery and devotion to duty. I cannot speak too highly of his soldierly qualities." (London Gazette, 4 January 1917, p. 261, Rec. No. 365) Citation for Mentioned in Despatches (MID): "Sir D Haig's despatch dated 8th November, 1918, submitting names deserving of special mention." (London Gazette, 31 December 1918, p. 15231) AWMM - Victory Medal AWMM
- British War Medal (1914-1920) AWMM
- Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW1 Unknown AWMM Farmer/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
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- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW1 13 Nov 1915 AWMM
HMNZT 35 or HMNZT 36 AWMM Vessel was Willochra or Tofua AWMM Second Lieutenant AWMM Otago Mounted Rifles AWMM 8th Reinforcements AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
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- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
- Died of Disease, Cause of Death AWMM
Pneumonia AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- WW1 Captain/Military AWMM
Divisional Headquarters AWMM - Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- Son of Richard and Beatrice Mary Riddiford (née Wardell).
Gained commission as Second Lieutenant on 19 August 1915 (Studholme 1928).
Promoted to Captain on 26 November 1917 (Studholme 1928).
Aide-de-Camp to General Officer Commanding, New Zealand Division.
"Managed 'Tablelands' for some time after leaving school, and later purchased 'Orui,' where he continued sheep-farming on his own account. In the early stages of the war he enlisted for service and left with the rank of Lieutenant in the 8th Reinforcements. On arrival in Egypt he transferred from the Mounteds to the Infantry, and had his first experience of fighting at Armentieres, where he earned his M.C. In the Somme battles he did excellent work getting supplies through the shell swept zone to Flers. His last days were spent in the personal service of his general at Paris while the latter was en route to the Riviera. Influenza gripped him while crossing the Channel, and he died of pneumonia after a brief illness. His unflinching determination to do what was right under any circumstances earned for him the admiration and respect of all ranks. The funeral took place at Brookwood, and a laurel wreath was sent from old boys bound with streamers in the colours of the O.B.A." (In Memoriam, 1914-1918 [Wanganui Collegiate School])
Died of sickness (influenza) AWMM
About death
- Death
- 11 Feb 1919 AWMM
- Date of death
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- Age at death
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- Place of death
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- Cause of death
- Died of Disease AWMM
- Death notes
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- Cemetery
- Brookwood Military Cemetery, Woking, Surrey, England AWMM II.I.6. AWMM
- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
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- Memorial name
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- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
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Sources
- External links
- Military personnel file
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R20805952
Further Reference - A Street Near You record
https://astreetnearyou.org/person/399696/-
Further Reference - Commonwealth War Graves Commission Casualty record
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/399696
Further Reference - Richard Riddiford's riding boots
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/officers-riding-bootsPublic - Jamie - Researcher - 21 October 2024 - NZHistory
- Military personnel file
- References
- McDonald, W. (2013). Honours and Awards to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War, 1914-1918. (3rd ed.). Hamilton, N.Z.: Richard Stowers.
- Studholme, J. (1928). New Zealand Expeditionary Force record of personal services during the war of officers, nurses, and first-class warrant officers, and other facts relating to the N.Z.E.F. : unofficial but based on official records. Wellington, N.Z.: Government Printer.
- New Zealand Army Expeditionary Force. (1914-1919). Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Volume I. Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
Page No: 616 - In Memoriam, 1914-1918. (1919).Wanganui, N.Z.: Collegiate School.
- Unknown photographer. (1914 - 1918) [Battles at Ypres and Messines]. Auckland War Memorial Museum - Tamaki Paenga Hira. PH-ALB-195.
McDonald, H. (2001). p. 271. - Studholme, J. (1928). New Zealand Expeditionary Force record of personal services during the war of officers, nurses, and first-class warrant officers, and other facts relating to the N.Z.E.F. : unofficial but based on official records. Wellington, N.Z.: Government Printer.
Studholme, J. (1928). p. 254. - Beattie, P.J. & Pomeroy, M. (2013-2020). Onward : portraits of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (vols 1-5). Auckland, New Zealand: Fair Dinkum Publications
Vol. 3: Includes portrait
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