Alexander Hugh Ritchie

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sun, 06/09/2015 - 11:50
First Name: 
Alexander
Middle Name: 
Hugh
Last Name: 
Ritchie
Mother's Name: 
Mary (nee Dobbie)
Father's Name: 
David Ritchie
Date Enlisted: 
Monday, August 21, 1916
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
33rd Battalion
Company: 
C Company
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Saturday, July 21, 1917
Place of Death: 
Messines Belgium
Cause of Death: 
Killed in action
Details: 

Alexander Ritchie (Service No 2636) was born in Wollongong about 1895.

At enlistment he was single, 21 years old, worked as a farmer and lived at Dorrigo, NSW.

Alex embarked from Sydney on SS Port Napier with 5th Reinforcements, 33rd Battalion on 17th November 1916.

After arriving in England he became ill and was admitted to hospital.  He recovered and joined the Battalion in France on 22nd May 1917. 

On 21st July 1917 Alexander was sitting in a shelter in the trenches with 10 Platoon, C Company with a number of others when a shell hit and he and several others were killed. 

Alexander is buried in Bethlehem Farm West Cemetery Row B, Grave 10 Messines Belgium.

Alexander's brother William Arthur Ritchie (Service No 595) also served.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, RITCHIE ALEXANDER HUGH

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