RICKETTS, John

John Ricketts was born in Dudley and was an early volunteer. He joined the 9th (Service) Battalion of the Worcesters who trained in England and went out to Gallipoli as reinforcements to break the stalemate against the Turkish forces on the peninsula. They experienced a few days in the front line at Cape Helles and were then landed at Suvla Bay behind the enemy lines on the 6th August. They landed safely enough but the attempt to break out and reach the vital Anafarta ridge failed badly. The attack of the 10th August met stubborn Turkish resistance and British losses were very heavy. Among the killed in action was Private John Ricketts who is commemorated on the Helles and Dudley Memorials.