Lieut. Ridley on leave in 1914

Lieut. Ridley 1916 DCM

Capt. Ridley's personal details

Capt. Ridley in retirement

William Snowball Ridley was born at Felling Shore, Gateshead, County Durham in 1881, one of 6 children of whom only 4 survived he was the eldest of 3 sons and a daughter. His father William Henry Ridley was born in 1856 at St. Anthony’s village, Byker, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. Having moved with his family to Heworth, Gateshead as a teenager he met and married at South Shields in 1879, Sophia Snowball born in 1858. Newly married they lived at Ballast Hill, Felling Shore with Sophia’s parents, William Snowball and William Henry were both watermen. Ten years later the roles had been reversed William Snowball, retired, and his wife Mary were living with their daughter, son-in-law and their 3 children William (9), Henry (4) and Mary (1), at Summerhill Place, Felling Shore.

He enlisted at Gateshead, January 30th 1900 at the age of 20 years as Private 8168 Durham Light Infantry attached to the 1st Battalion Durham Light Infantry, stating he had previously served as part of the 5th Volunteer Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was posted to South Africa, February 23rd 1900 until May 30th 1901 and discharged, June 6th 1901. Awarded the Queen’s South Africa Star.

At the age of 21 William Snowball Ridley was married at Gateshead in 1902 to Mary Elizabeth Cunningham, native of Felling, born 1881. Their daughter Mary Elizabeth Ridley was born in 1904, Elizabeth Graham Ridley in 1905, William Henry Ridley in 1910 and Cuthbert Cunningham Ridley in 1911. In 1911 William was employed as a joiner (house) to support his family, they were living at 15, Havelock Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham.

William Snowball Ridley joined the Territorials in peace time and on the outbreak of war he enlisted as Private 2241 assigned to the Durham Light Infantry and departed for the Western Front as part of the 1st/9th Battalion, leaving Newcastle-upon-Tyne railway station April 19th 1915. Within days without any nursery training they were fighting in the 2nd Battle of Ypres in Belgium where they suffered heavy casualties from shelling and gas attacks on the Frezenberg and Bellewaarde ridges, they were spared the heavy losses of the other Durham Territorial battalions. During the following months Private Ridley rose through the ranks to Company Sergeant Major (W.O. Cl. II). He was discharged to commission November 1st 1915 and served as 2nd Lieutenant.

March 11th 1916 2nd Lieutenant William Snowball Ridley was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the article in the London Gazette referred to actions undertaken whilst he was C.S.M. it reads, “For conspicuously good work and efficient work as a Sergeant Major throughout the campaign, always displaying great coolness, courage and devotion to duty, and giving a fine example to all ranks.”

May 6th 1916 he was publicly honoured at Victoria Square, Felling accompanied by his wife and parents and greeted by rapturous applause. 2nd Lieutenant Ridley replied he had not felt so nervous during the last few months as he felt in that moment and was deeply touched. He said if those at home would do their best, they could rely on the men at the Front doing theirs and that the men from their district had proven themselves to be of the best.

He returned to the Western Front joining his battalion in the field attached to the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division still in the trenches of the Ypres salient and Armentieres where they remained until August 1916 before moving south to the Somme. Having again risen rapidly through the ranks the now Captain Ridley was wounded during the September and October attacks toward the Starfish Line north of High Wood and the Flers Line at Eaucourt L’Abbaye.

Suffering from slight shell concussion he was evacuated back through the lines to Etaples and sent back to England aboard a hospital ship, finally receiving treatment at the 2nd Western General Hospital Manchester.

William Snowball Ridley survived the conflict of WW1 and was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal. He died aged 71 years, October 12th 1952, his wife Mary Elizabeth Ridley nee Cunningham, March 24th 1961 aged 80 years, both registered at Gateshead, County Durham.

The 1980s saw the demise of their children, Cuthbert Cunningham Ridley in 1981 aged 70 years and Mary Snowball Ridley aged 81 in 1986 both at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, Elizabeth Graham Ridley in 1986 aged 81 years and William Henry Ridley aged 75 years in 1985 both registered at Gateshead, County Durham.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Heslop's Local Advertiser 26/5/1916 reports:

Lieut. William Snowball Ridley, of the Durham Light Infantry, a native of this district, who gained his commission on the battlefield, was publicly honoured on Saturday afternoon, 6th May. Prior to receiving his commission, Lieut. Ridley was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Lieut. Ridley, accompanied by his wife and father and mother, was driven to Victoria Square in an open carriage escorted by a squad of the Lincoln Light Infantry, who acted as a guard of honour. On arrival at the Square they were greeted with cheers by the large gathering which had assembled at very short notice.

Mr. W.F. Ollman presided over the proceedings. He said that Lieut. Ridley was born at Felling Shore, and for a number of years served in the old Volunteer Corps. He took part in the South African campaign and when the Territorials were formed he joined that body. When the present war broke out Lieut. Ridley made some sacrifices and joined the Durham Light Infantry as a private. He quickly became a colour-sergeant and then a sergeant-major. While serving in the ranks he was awarded the medal for distinguished conduct and, subsequently, for another act of bravery, was, on the field, raised to the commissioned ranks, being retained in the company in which he had served as a private.

Colonel Rogerson, secretary of the Durham Territorial association, in presenting the D.C.M. said about 13 per cent of the population of the county of Durham had been serving the country either in the army or the navy, and that part of the country had the highest figures for recruiting in the British Isles. The Durham regiments had been in the hottest parts of the firing line, and several Durham lads had won commissions as well as D.C.Ms. Lieut. Ridley would return to France on Sunday night, and he wished him God-speed and a safe return. (Applause).

Dr. Smallwood, on behalf of a few admirers, handed over to Lieut. Ridley a handsome sword, suitably inscribed. He also expressed sincere wishes for his safe return."

The Newcastle Daily Chronicle 08/05/1916 also reports the award.

Heslop's Local Advertiser 13/10/1916 reports:
"Mrs. Ridley, 15 Havelock Street, Felling, has received official news that her husband, Capt. W.S. Ridley, was wounded on Sept. 28th, and is lying in a General Hospital in Manchester, suffering from slight shell concussion."