Last week we posted a short article about the Ridley family of Park End, Tynedale. Today we will provide some further more information regarding the death of Captain Charles Noel Ridley of the Northumberland Yeomanry,
Charles Noel Ridley married Daphne Bewick in the September Quarter of 1907. By the 1911 census the couple had two daughters Nancy Daphne Ridley aged 2 years and Phyllis Evelyn Ridley who was just 3 months old. At this time the family were living at High Parkanse, Simonburn. Charles was recorded as living on ‘Private Means.’
Charles died of wounds received on 7th October 1915 and is referred to in ‘The History of the Northumberland (Hussars) Yeomanry, 1819 – 1919 with Supplement to 1923’ Edited by Howard Pease M.A., F.S.A. Printed by Constable & Co. Ltd. London 1924. On page 114 of the volume there is the following reference:
September 30th [1915] – Most unfortunately Captain C.N. Ridley was killed, and about fourteen other ranks were wounded, whilst burying about forty men just behind “Gun Trench”.
Charles Noel Ridley’s Medal Index Card is available to view on Ancestry.com. This record details that the Regimental Roll shows his ‘Disembarkation Date’ as 5th October 1914. He was killed just a year later on 7th October 1915. His medals were dispatched to Mrs D. Pringle of Doonbrae, Alloway, Ayr, on 20th May 1921.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission confirms that Captain Ridley is buried at Lonuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France. He was noted as the husband of Daphne Pringle (formerly Ridley), of Knorren, Brampton, Cumberland.
Following Charles Noel’s death Daphne re-married [December Quarter 1918] to Hall G Pringle. A search of the 1911 records that Hall was a Captain in the Royal Artillery aged 34 living in the Royal Military Academy, London Road, Camberley. I could not find Hall on any earlier census except 1881, where I found him living with his family in Cleethaugh, Edgerston, Roxburghshire. His father was David Pringle a Farmer of 6000 acres. Records of Hall Grant Pringle can be found on the internet for example he received the Military Order of Avis 2nd Class from the President of the Portuguese Republic on 10 October 1918, by this time he was known as Lieutenant Colonel Hall Grant, Royal Artillery, D.S.O. [Supplement to London Gazette]. He was also mentioned on 21 March 1896 as a Cadet of The Royal Military Academy promoted to 2nd Lieutenant [London Gazette]. A picture of him can be viewed on www.oldchinahands.org/military whilst he was serving in Peking, China 1900/1901.
This post was prepared by Paul Ternent, Northumberland At War Volunteer Manager.
I would like to make a comment regarding the dating of the above grouping of the officers of the Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry, which is noted as having been taken at Blagdon Camp in November,1913.
I believe this date to be incorrect because all the officers appear to be wearing the ‘Imperial Service’ badge. This fact dates the photograph to between 4th August,1914 and 5th October,1914. This is because the officers and men of the North’d Yeo would not have signed the ‘Imperial Service Obligation’ form until probably September,1914. Once they had signed this form they were then entitled to wear the Imperial Service
badge.
I hope that this information is useful and that it may help you to date the group photo more accurately.
Thank you for this information Robert. The image is actually taken from ‘The History of the Northumberland (Hussars) Yeomanry 1819 – 1919 edited by Howard Pease. M.A.,F.S.A. and is captioned as ‘Group at Blagdon Camp, 1913.’ Published 1924.
There is a memorial to Charles Noel Ridley in St Mungo’s church, Simonburn – my photo of it is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/slim_cop/28860329546
Thank you for sharing this photograph with us Simon. Charles’s story is certainly an interesting one.
There’s also a cross in memory to Charles Noel Ridley in St Mungo’s graveyard. How do I can send you a photo of it?
Thanks for these articles, which I found while researching my family history. My Great Great Uncle, Arthur Henry Nicholas (from Shropshire) worked on this estate as a huntsman and married Christiana, the head laundrymaid, in October 1911.
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Do you know how the Gilbert Ridleys 1695 of Ravensheugh Simonburn are connected to the family are they the poor relations
Hello, could you please email your enquiry to us – archives@northumberland.gov.uk Thank you
Perhaps matrilineal relations and absent from patrilinear lineage histories.