Walter Potter Ritchie

Who was Walter Potter Ritchie?

Walter Potter Ritchie VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 24 years old, and a drummer in the 2nd Battalion, The Seaforth Highlanders, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 1 July 1916 north of Beaumont Hamel, France, Drummer Ritchie, on his own initiative, stood on the parapet of an enemy trench and, under heavy machine-gun fire and bomb attacks, repeatedly sounded the "Charge" thereby rallying many men of various units who, having lost their leaders were wavering and beginning to retire. He also, during the day, carried messages over fire-swept ground.

He later achieved the rank of drum-major. Born in Glasgow in 1892, he died in 1965 and was cremated in Edinburgh.