"G" Battalion, Tank Corps. Awarded the M.C. in
the London Gazette of 18 July 1918. Ritchie was a native of Burnley, Lancashire.
The citation for his M.C. reads: - "For
conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On November 23, during the attack
on Bourlon Wood, his tank broke down owing to mechanical trouble. He got
his crew out of the tank with their machine guns, and followed another tank
well ahead of the infantry, and inflicted very heavy casualties on the enemy
at close quarters, which the other tanks unearthed. He remained with his
crew, helping the infantry, who afterwards came up to consolidate, until
he was recalled that night. The initiative he displayed and the clever handling
of his crew enabled the infantry to gain ground which they could not have
won without his assistance."