Richard Kirby Ridgeway

Richard Kirby Ridgeway VC CB (18 August, 1848- 11 October 1924) was born in Oldcastle, County Meath and was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 31 years old, and a captain in the Bengal Staff Corps, Indian Army, and 44th Gurkha Rifles (later 1/8th Gurkha Rifles), Indian Army during the Naga Hills Expedition when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 22 November 1879 during the final assault on Konoma, Eastern Frontier of India, under heavy fire from the enemy, Captain Ridgeway rushed up to a barricade and attempted to tear down the planking surrounding it to enable him to effect an entrance. While doing this he was wounded severely in the right shoulder. [LondonGazette |issue=24843 |date=1880-05-11 |startpage=2968 |endpage= |supp= |accessdate=2008-06-21]

Further information

He later achieved the rank of colonel. He died Harrogate, Yorkshire, 11 October 1924.

Notes and references

Listed in order of publication year
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
*The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
*Irelands VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/yorkshir.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(West Yorkshire)"