Stephen Ridley DCM

Rank:

Sergeant

Regimental number:

55696

Unit at enlistment:

19th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Wounded:

Yes

Date of death:

August 29th, 1918

Cemetery:

Ligny-St. Flochel British Cemetery - Pas de Calais, France - II.F.12.

Awards or decorations:

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

Greater London

Birth city:

London

Address at enlistment:

148 Wellington Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

11 Close Avenue, Galt, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Printer

Employer:

Brantford Courier

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Gallantry medals:

Yes

Letters and documents

London Gazette: 31128
Date: January 16, 1919
Honour or Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal
Name: Stephen Ridley (55696)
Unit: 19th Battalion

Details: All the officers of his company having become casualties early in the attack near Vis-en-Artois, on 28th August, 1918, he took command, directing the advance in the face of heavy artillery and machine-gun fire with great gallantry and skill. The example of his disregard of personal safety and his fine qualities of leadership greatly contributed to the success of the operation.

BX May 16, 1919

Distinguished Conduct Medal Presented to Hero’s Mother – Decoration Awarded to Company Sergeant Major Stephen Ridley, Formerly of Brantford

A former resident of Brantford, and an employee of The Courier, has been added to the list of Canadian heroes, the late C.S.M. Stephen Ridley, whose distinguished conduct medal was received by Mayor A.W. Mercer of Galt on Monday.

The late Company Sergeant-Major Stephen Ridley died of wounds on August 28, 1918 and was awarded the coveted decoration on account of the gallantry and courage he displayed in the battle of Cambrai, in which he received his fatal wounds. He was one of the 19th Battalion Boys.

On Tuesday Mayor Mercer, Ald. Alfred Taylor and others, waited upon the soldier’s mother, Mrs. Stephen Ridley, of 11 Close Avenue, and presented her with the Distinguished Conduct Medal which had been awarded to her son. In making the presentation Mayor Mercer addressed Mrs. Ridley:

To me has fallen the great honour of being commissioned by the military authorities to deliver to you the Distinguished Conduct Medal so nobly won by your gallant son on the field of Cambrai.

No words of mine can convey the appreciation of your son’s fellow citizens for his gallantry, and even this tangible appreciation from the Empire falls short of consoling you for the loss of your beloved son, but as the years go on and all-healing time brings you the balm of consolation that nothing else can give your pride will be freshly inspired every time you gaze on this medal, the tangible evidence that amongst countless heroes your son was counted brave.

It is with pride, therefore, that I hand you this medal, counting it associated even in this small measure with that of your son and that I can do your son the posthumous service of delivering to his mother the medal which he so gallantly won at the cost of his own life.

And, on behalf of the city, permit me to assure you that your fellow citizens rejoice with you in your son’s bravery and mourn with you his early death.

Circumstances of Casualty: Died of Wounds (gunshot wound, abdomen) at No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station.

BX September 9, 1918

Stephen Ridley Dies from Wounds

The name of Stephen Ridley, former resident of Brantford, but latterly of Galt, appears in the official casualty list of having died of wounds.

BX January 18, 1917

Brantford men with the 19th Battalion appreciated parcels sent to them by Brant Chapter, I.O.D.E., as is shown by a number of letters received from the recipients.

Sergeant Stephen Ridley writing to the Daughters of the Empire, Brant Chapter expresses his thanks and that of the men in a letter to Mrs. N.D. Neil as follows:

Dear Lady Friends,

I now take great pleasure in writing thanking you for the parcels which were received O.K. by the Brantford boys that are left with us in our company and of which I had the honor of distributing to them.

They all wish to thank you for the same and told me to write you and let you know that they all, including myself, of course, enjoyed the contents. I am sure that you could not have sent anything better.

We are having it nice and quiet here at present and outside of two or three snowfalls and a little rain it has been just like spring all the time. The boys are getting ready for a good time on Christmas Day and I don’t think that war will even dampen their spirits, but they all hope to be able to spend the next one in Canada with their people.

We all wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Of course it is kind of late to wish it but better late than never. Wishing your chapter the best of success and thanking you once again on behalf of the boys, including myself.

Sincerely,

Steve Ridley, Sergt.

BX May 12, 1916

Stephen Ridley Enlisted Here – Galt Man Reported Wounded Joined Overseas Force in Brantford

Stephen Ridley, a Galt boy, who enlisted at Brantford, was yesterday reported wounded in the leg and is in hospital. His Parents Mr. and Mrs. S. Ridley live on Close Avenue.

BX November 2, 1915

Stephen Ridley Presented with a Watch

Saturday evening last a number of friends gathered together at the home of George Humble, Wellington Street, to make a presentation of a military wrist watch to Stephen Ridley prior to his departure with the second contingent for the front. Although taken completely by surprise Steve responded to the address very fittingly and thanked the boys one and all for their thoughtfulness.