Charles Ritchie was the son of Mrs. L. A. Ritchie, of Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand.

Charlie Ritchie was involved in resucing Private Maurice Flynn, Flynn wrote to his mother whilst recovering in Hospital "The day I got wounded, was the day the 5th reinforcements arrived, and, strangely enough Charlie Ritchie was the first to spot me lying down as they rushed past, and he said he would be back to take me out of the firing line if he could get away without the officers knowing it, and in less than an hour there were no officers left and very few men, so Charlie came and carried me two miles on his back, while bullets, shrapnel, and bombs were whistling all around us. I may tell you that we did not wait long to get away from it. I can never forget Charlie for his brave action and I hope he will be spared." Otago Daily Times, 3 December 1915. AWMM