Archibald Ridley

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 20/02/2017 - 14:29
First Name: 
Archibald
Last Name: 
Ridley
Mother's Name: 
Sophia Ridley
Father's Name: 
Archibald Ridley
Date Enlisted: 
Saturday, November 20, 1915
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Lance Corporal
Unit: 
56th Battalion
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
1914/1915 Star
Date of Death: 
Monday, January 8, 1951
Place of Death: 
Concord Hospital, NSW
Details: 

Archibald Ridley (Service No 4885) was born in Northumberland, England in 1870.

In 1892, Archibald married Annie Weir. He moved to Australia in 1913, his wife and children followed in 1914.

At the time of enlistment Archibald was married, 43 years of age and employed as a miner in Balgownie, NSW. Archibald embarked on HMAT A15 - Star of England with 4th Battalion, 15th reinforcements on 8 March 1916 for Egypt. On 20 April 1916 was transferred to 56th Battalion and was sent to France on 29 June 1916.

Archibald took part in the Battle for Fromelles and although was not injured in battle was hospitalised on 22 October 1916 for trench feet. After being discharged from hospital on 9 April 1917, Archibald returned to France.

He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 20 August 1917 and then detached to 1st Tunnel Company for a week in September 1917.

Archibald saw service on the Western Front until September 1918 when he was returned to England to face a medical board.

Archibald was returned to Australia in December 1918 and was discharged medically unfit on 7 March 1919.

Annie died in 1924, and after this time Archibald had some trouble with the law.

Archibaldd remained in Balgownie, NSW and died in Concord Hospital in 1951.  His service is commemorated on the Balgownie War Memorial 1914-1918.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, RIDLEY ARCHIBALD

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