L/Cpl
John Riddell

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortejaar:
1893
Geboorteplaats:
Lithgow, New South Wales, Australië

Algemene Informatie

Beroep:
Mijnwerker

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Australië
Strijdmacht:
Australian Imperial Force
Rang:
Lance Corporal
Service nummer:
4232
Dienstneming datum:
09/10/1915
Dienstneming plaats:
Lithgow, New South Wales, Australië
Eenheden:
 —  Australian Infantry, 18th Bn. (New South Wales)  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
20/09/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
Anzac, Zonnebeke, België
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
24

Begraafplaats

Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood
Plot: XXV
Rij: C
Graf: 20

Onderscheidingen en medailles 2

British War Medal
Medaille
Victory Medal
Medaille

Points of interest 3

#1 Geboorteplaats
#2 Dienstneming plaats
#3 Plaats van overlijden (bij benadering)

Mijn verhaal

John Riddell a miner from Lithgow, New South Wales, enlisted in October 1915, at the age of 21. About a year later he proceeded to the Western Front and was promoted to Lance Corporal. John joined the 18th Battalion Australian Infantry, 5th Brigade, 2nd Australian Division. In November 1916 he was admitted to the hospital in Rouen with Trench Feet.

On 20th September 1917 the 18th Battalion took part in the Battle of the Menin Road. The attack of the 5th Brigade, from the Westhoek Ridge towards Zonnebeke, was carried by the 20th Battalion. The 18th Battalion was in support, and the 17th and 26th Battalions were in reserve. The Allied artillery barrage gave the troops good coverage and they were able to swiftly advance. The attack went well although the 20th Battalion met some resistance to their left from a line of concrete artillery shelters. They managed, nonetheless, to reach the first objective, but they then came under heavy fire from two German pillboxes which had to be dealt with immediately to minimize further casualties. When the first objective had been consolidated the 18th battalion took over the attack to the second objective line, taking ANZAC House and Iron Cross redoubt. They were then forced to advance on and take Garter point to stop German Sniping on Allied forces who were trying to consolidate the second objective line. The third and final objective line was later also reached and taken with relative ease, and they were able to successfully hold on to it. The attack, overall, was a success.

Lance Corporal John Riddell, 23, was killed in action on the 20th of September 1917. He was initially buried near the ANZAC house (28.J.a.10.70). His remains were reinterred in Polygon Wood Cemetery after the war.

Bestanden 1

Bronnen 7

Australian War Memorial
https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people?people_preferred_name=riddell&people_service_number=4232&people_unit=
Gebruikte bronnen
Australian War Memorial, War Diaries
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1347529
Gebruikte bronnen
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/480429/riddell,-john/
Gebruikte bronnen
Mc Carthy C., Passchendaele Day-by-Day account, Unicorn Publishing Group, 2018, London, pp. 82-83.
Gebruikte bronnen
National Archives of Australia
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=8031650&isAv=N
Gebruikte bronnen
The AIF Project
https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=255007
Gebruikte bronnen
The Long Long Trail
https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/
Gebruikte bronnen