RIDLEY, Reginald

Reginald Ridley was born in Worcester and was the son of Mr G. Ridley of the High Street, Stourbridge. He attended the Roman Catholic church in Stourbridge. He enlisted in the Warwicks and was posted to the 14th Battalion in the 5th Division. In November 1917 this Division was sent to Italy to aid the hard pressed Italians after the disaster of Caporetto. When the German Spring Offensive started in March 1918, they returned promptly to the Western Front and were immediately put into the front line on the Lys where the second German offensive had pushed the British back in retreat. On the 13th April the 13th Brigade with the Warwicks on the right, were ordered to put in a counter attack to win back Merville. It was a hard fought battle which helped to hold the German advance but there were many casualties. Private Reginald Ridley was one of those posted as missing, presumed dead. His name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert, Stourbridge and Roman Catholic church Memorials.