"G" Battalion, Tank Corps.

Awarded the Military Cross in the London Gazette of 18 July 1918.

Ritchie was a native of Burnley, Lancashire.

The citation for his Military Cross 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."