2nd Lieutenant William Riddell
11th Battalion
Devonshire Regiment
1st July 1916
Born in Calerleigh, Devon in 1887.
His parents were Thomas Riddell(1853-1935) and
Isabella Jolliff(1848-1925). They married in 1882.
William had 3 sisters; Jane(Fanny)(1882-1951), Elizabeth(born on 06/11/1883) and
Isabella(15/06/1885-1951).
In the 1891 & 1901 census', the family are recorded as living at Calverleigh Lodge, Oakford, Loxbear , Devon. Thomas was employed as a coachman.
In 1915 William married Hilda Elizabeth Burrows(born in 1890).
He obtained a commision in November 1914 and his date of disembarkation into france was on 05/10/1915.
He was killed in action on 01/07/1916.
Before Action by Charlotte Zeepvat - Page 196. " At 7.40am Lieutenant Colonel Storey ordered Riddell to lead D Company to the hollow at the foot of the copse. D company lost all its officers before reaching the hollow.Riddell was shot in the head with minutes."
William was awarded the 1914-1915 Star,the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
In his will read on 07/11/1916 he left effects worth £83 17s 5d(worth today £8476.19)
The Devon & Exeter Gazette - Wednesday 12 July 1916 - "Before the war he was manager of a drapery business in Jamaica. He came over to England and obtained his commission in November 1914 and went overseas in October 1915 and since then has twice been home on leav,the last time only 3 weeks ago."
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The Devon & Exeter Gazette - Friday 4 August 1916 - He was instantaneously killed some twenty yards in front of the British trenches when leading his platoon in a charge against the German defences.