Name
John Alfred Riddiford
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
12/07/1916
33
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
M2/153891
Army Service Corps
4th Motor Ambulance Convoy
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CEMENT HOUSE CEMETERY
Plot XXI, Row A, Grave 3.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Christ Church Memorial, Watford, Hothfield War Memorial, Kent, Market Overton Rutland War Memorial
Pre War
Son of John Alfred and Sarah Ann (nee VERE) RIDDIFORD; husband of Evelyn Sarah (nee ROUSE) RIDDIFORD.
His parents married 1877 in the Aylesbury, Bucks, district. John emigrated to Australia 20 March 1920, on the Orient Line Ormonde London to Melbourne; Sarah emigrated to Australia 21 August 1920, also on the Ormonde, London to Melbourne. John possibly died 1934 in West Footscray, Victoria aged 81; Sarah died 1936 in Victoria aged 86.
John was born 24 March 1883 in Aylesbury, and baptised 30 August 1891 at St Mary’s, Aylesbury. He attended Aylesbury Grammar School (Lower) age 7 from 19 January 1890 to 18 July 1892. He married 15 November 1913 at Sts Peter & Paul, Market Overton, Rutland; they had one child. He resided in Hanwell, Middx. Evelyn never remarried and died 2 November 1947 in Market Overton aged 63.
On the 1891 Census, a scholar aged 8 he lived in Aylesbury, with his parents and five siblings. On the 1901 Census, a grocer aged 18 he lived in Ealing, Middx, with his parents and four siblings. On the 1911 Census, a groom aged 28 he lived in Kensington, London.
Wartime Service
He enlisted ‘in the field’; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 27 March 1915, and died at Poperinghe of wounds received in action.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, John’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing. John is possibly the J RIDDIFORD commemorated at Christ Church
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
