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Pte. Isaac James Ritson
British Army 2/4th Battaion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
from:Burnley, Lancs
(d.10th August 1917)
Isaac Ritson was born on 13th of July 1887 at 6 Doctor St, Habergham, Lancashire to Mary Ann Barclay, age 24, and William Ritson, age 24. He lived in Habergham Eaves, Lancashire, England, in 1891. His mother Mary Ann passed away on 10th January 1899, in Burnley, Lancashire, England, at the age of 35. By 1901 Isaac and his father William have moved back to Burnley, Lancashire, England. They have returned to live with William's father Thomas Ritson; also a widower. Isaac is now 13 years of age and working as an apprentice moulder. By 02 April 1911 Isaac and his father are living at 6 Back Albion St., Burnley. Isaac has changed jobs and is now a labour in a brickyard. On 15th June 1912, when he was 24 years old, Isaac married Ethel May Stephenson in the parish church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church, in the parish of Brierfield in the county of Lancaster, England. In attendance were Bertram Stephenson the bride's brother, and Dorothy Avrail Bailey. On the 30th November 1912 a son was born to Isaac and Ethel in Burnley, Lancashire, they named him Herbert Wallace Ritson. His father William passed away in March 1916 in Burnley at the age of 53.
On 12th of December 1915 Isaac James signed up for service in the British Army as can be seen in the Short Service Attestation papers for the British Army. Isaac had received a notice for enlistment received from J J Brown PPR. He was assigned to the 2/4th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, once certified by the approving officer, on 5th of October 1916. He was assigned the service number 6944 and later 203172.
Isaac reported for duty on 5th of October 1916 with the 2/4 Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. While away Isaac James wrote to his son Herbert. For Christmas of that year the men of the 2/4th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment were given a regimental photograph. According to the regimental diary the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment left England for France near the end of February 1917.
203172, Private Isaac James Ritson serving with the 2/4th Battalion (Territorial Force)., Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was killed in action, France & Flanders, 10th of August 1917 Born: Burnley, Lancs, Enlisted: Burnley.
A letter from an NCO or officer in charge of the company wrote Ethel a letter explaining and detailing the nature and circumstances pertaining to the death of her husband. The following is my best recollection as to the nature of the letter. This letter being lost by a family member who had borrowed it to have the letter copied. Pte Isaac James Ritson was killed in action on 10 August 1917 when a horse landed on him. Reading the regimental diaries, they tell us that there was artillery fire almost every day as a common occurrence.
An excerpt from Moina Belle Michael's poem:
- And now the Torch and Poppy Red
- We wear in honor of our dead.
- Fear not that ye have died for naught;
- Well teach the lesson that ye wrought
- In Flanders Fields.
- In Flanders Fields we fought.
Isacc is remembered on the World War 1 Memorial inside The Salvation Army in Burnley.
