R.F.A. Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 21 October 1918.

Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in the London Gazette of 18 June 1917.

A native of Burnley, Lancashire.

Killed in action Salonika 17 September 1918.

The M.S.M., awarded to Ridge was under the heading "for valuable services rendered in the field during the present war."


The Burnley Express of 14 July 1917 reported, BURNLEY SERGEANT'S MERITORIOUS SERVICE. Alderman W. Whittaker, of Burnley, has been informed that his son in law, Sergeant William Henry Ridge (29929), of the Royal Field Artillery has won the Meritorious Service Medal. The award has been made, "For consistent good work and setting a fine example to his men whilst acting sergeant-major to the battery, when, through a shortage of officers, he commanded a section cutting wire in a forward position on the 21st, 22nd, 24th, 25th and 26th November 1916. The battery was heavily shelled in this position, but by his control and example its accuracy was in no way impaired. The message was sent on June 9th, by Major-General T. W. Gay, commanding the division. Sergeant Ridge, who in civil life is a weaver, enlisted at the end of September 1914. He has been in Salonika about 18 months prior to which he was in France.

The Burnley Express of 19 October 1918 reported, MEDALIST KILLED, Burnley Alderman's Son in Law. Alderman W. Whittaker, of Burnley, has been informed that his son in law, Sergeant William Henry Ridge (29929), of the Royal Field Artillery has been killed in action on the Salonika Front on September 17. Enlisting on September 30th, 1914, Sergeant Ridge had been on active service two and a half years, and had been in France previous to going to the Balkans. He leaves a widow - who was Miss Ada Whittaker - and two children, one born since he joined the army. His name is on the roll of honour of St. John's Church, Gannow. Sergeant Ridge was a weaver.

In July, 1917 it was announced the Sergeant Ridge had won the Meritorious Service Medal. The award was made, "For consistent good work and setting a fine example to his men whilst acting sergeant-major to the battery, when, through a shortage of officers, he commanded a section cutting wire in a forward position on the 21st, 22nd, 24th, 25th and 26th November 1916. The battery was heavily shelled in this position, but by his control and example its accuracy was in no way impaired. The message was sent on June 9th, by Major-General T. W. Gay, commanding the division.

He was this year awarded the Military Medal, the record being as follows, "On the night of 25/26 June, 1918, this N.C.O., was acting sergeant-major at the gun position when it was shelled by 400 shells of large calibre. By his courage and coolness in dealing with the situation, two wounded men who were buried in dug outs were safely recovered under heavy fire. This N.C.O., by his steadiness and presence of mind has repeatedly been a fine example of disregard of personal safety under fire to the N.C.O.'s and men under his command".

Martin Whittaker sent me the following.......

Born circa 1889 at Burnley, Lancashire he was the son of Henry RIDGE and Mary CLOUGH.

1891 Census: Age 1, of 86 Every Street, Habergham Eaves.
1901 Census: Age 11, of 59 Lodge Street, Accrington.
1909: married Ada WHITTAKER at Burnley, St James.
1911 Census: Cotton Weaver, 21, of 5 Rostle Top Road, Earby.

Buried in KARASOULI MILITARY CEMETERY, Greece. Grave Reference: E. 1083.