Born 23/08/1911 the son of Ralph “Alf” L. and Lottie (nee Stover) Ritchie, of R. R. #6 Chatham, Ontario, Canada; brother of Lieut. Harriet, a US Army Nurse enlisting in May of 1943  and CSM Maxwell serving with the Essex Scottish. James attended Queen Mary Public School, the Chatham Collegiate Institute and Chatham Vocational School.

James enlisted in February of 1941, trained to be a navigator in Hamilton, Toronto and Milton where he received his “Wings” and was promoted to Pilot Officer in February, 1943.

He arrived in England 17/03/43 and was station with an RAF Squadron flying as a Navigator in Lancaster bombers. In March of 1944 he was transferred to RAF 583 Sqd. (Pathfinders) and was flying with that Squadron in May when he was killed.

KIA – Date of Death: 04/05/1944, In Lancaster bomber # JA 968 on night  Air Ops. target Montdidier, France. The aircraft was shot down over the target by German night-fighter, debris was reported on the north side of the target area. All of the crew of seven were lost.

The CDN 29 &30/12/44 reported that F/O. Ritchie was “officially reported as presumed dead” he had previously been reported as missing on air operations.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 5826.

Cemetery: MONTDIDIER FRENCH NATIONAL CEMETERY.

Curators Note: – The following was transcribed from a document on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial:

Director General,

Graves Registration and Enquires,

The War Office (AG 13)

31 Grosvenor Gardens SW1.

Lancaster III – JA 968.

J9077          F/L. Bertelsen, F.C.

J23721        F/O. Ritchie J. L.

R150897     F/S. Schwerdfeger, G. H.

976425       Sgt.  Lovegrove, R. G.

1580782     Sgt.  Slattery, E. K.

1876639     Sgt. Mansbridge, R.

A410454   F/S. Clyne, G. A.

1.) The above mentioned crew were reported missing in Lancaster III, JA (68 on the 3^rd May, 1944 while attacking Montdidier, France.

2.) A telegram from the International Red Cross Committee quoting German information states “4^th May Lancaster seven dead, F/L Bertelsen, Frederick Lovegrove and five unknown. A German Officer Totenliste states “ Bertelsen and six unknown crew of Lancaster shot down 4^th May, 1944, buried in French Heroes Cemetery, Montdidier in a common grave.” 

A further report forwarded by War Graves Service states F/L Bertelsen J9077 buried in grave number 5821, French Heroes Cemetery Montdidier common grave.

It is required please that investigation be made by your unit operating in this area to establish the identity of the six unknown bodies.

1. S. Harris, Wing Commander,

For air Officer Commanding-in-Chief

RCAF – Overseas.       

The CDN 29 &30/12/44 reported that F/O. Ritchie was “officially reported as presumed dead” he had previously been reported as missing on air operations.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	Chatham Fire Fighters 1944 Field Day Booklet 7 to 12/08/1944., Index of Overseas Deaths, They Shall Grow Not Old, MHSB(P), IODE(P), VR(P), MLMB, CVWM, CWGC
Supplemental Information	Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 5826. Cemetery: MONTDIDIER FRENCH NATIONAL CEMETERY.

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