Person Record

Metadata

Name

Ritchie, John Wesley

Born

Aug. 12, 1889

Birthplace

Berkeley, Holland Twp., Ontario

Places of residence

Holland Twp., Grey County, Ontario
Camp Borden (1916)
England and Belgium during First World War
Toronto, Ontario
Clarksburg, Ontario (1950-1958)

Father

Andrew Ritchie

Mother

Letitia Gillespie (Gilespie)

Nationality

Canadian

Notes

John Wesley Ritchie was born on August 12, 1889, at Berkeley, Grey County, Ontario. Berkeley was a small hamlet in Holland Twp. John's parents were Andrew Ritchie, and Letitia Ritchie (nee Gillespie). The Ritchie family originally were from Ireland, but Andrew Ritchie had been born in Ohio on August 7, 1861. The family moved to Grey County circa 18__. The Ritchies were Methodists.

In the 1891 census of Holland Twp., Grey County, John was two years old. Andrew Ritchie was then 30 years old and was a Farmer at Lot 55. Nearby at Lot 54 was George Ritchie (age 32) and his wife Mary Jane and their two sons, John Ernest Ritchie (age 4) and Thomas Garnet Ritchie (age 2). At Lot 56 was an uncle John Ritchie (age 27), and his wife Catherine (age 21).

In the 1901 census, Andrew and Letitia had seven children in their household: Ethel Victoria Ritchie (13), John W. Ritchie (12), Emma Ritchie (9), Martha E. Ritchie (5), Della J. Ritchie (4), Mary Ritchie (1), and Lattie B. Ritchie (six months old).

Prior to 1916, John Ritchie was working as a Labourer. His residence was then at Berkeley. When he was 27 years of age, he decided to volunteer and join the 147th Grey Overseas Battalion, an infantry unit that was being recruited in Owen Sound in late 1915 and early 1916. He attested to the 147th on January 15, 1916, at Owen Sound, and his service number was 838597. He was then un-married, so his next-of-kin was recorded as his father, Andrew, who was at Berkeley, Ontario. John's previous militia experience of two years with the 31st Grey Regiment was noted on the attestation form. He was also recorded as being a Methodist.

When the 147th reached England, the men soon were very disappointed to find out in 1917 that the unit was not going to be kept together. The 147th was put into the Central Ontario 8th Canadian Reserve Battalion, and then the men were used for drafts for other units at the Front, such as the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles (quite a few of the 147th's men and officers transferred there), or the 58th Overseas Battalion, or other units.

John W. Ritchie was put onto the strength of the …… on ……1917. (It may have been the 58th Overseas Battalion, as he had two badges from that unit?)

John Wesley Ritchie visited Mrs. Eaton's GREY ROOMS when he was in London, England in the later part of the First World War. This upstairs club room area at 20 Craven Street was a "home away from home" for Grey County military personnel in London, England. It was operated by Mrs. Christopher Eaton (Annie Jaffray Eaton) of Owen Sound, Mrs. Richard (Rosalie) Howey of Owen Sound, and some other female volunteers who had connections to Grey County (Mrs. Boulter and Mrs. Ball (formerly the Wilcox sisters, were nieces of John Wilson of Concession 2, Holland Twp.) helped out there. Another assistant was Miss Bird from Bracebridge, Ontario. It was a place where one could play cards, read newspapers from home, and enjoy some tea or lunch, in the company of others from Grey County. One of John's wartime souvenirs was a printed whist scorecard that was used there.

He survived the war. His obituary read: "John Wesley Ritchie, a veteran of World War 1 and a resident of Clarksburg since 1950, died Wednesday at the Meaford General Hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Holland Township, near Berkeley, he was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Ritchie. His mother was the former Letitia Gillespie. Mr. Ritchie married the former May Walker, who survives, in 1926. They lived in Toronto for 25 years after their marriage. He was employed as an electrician with Robert Simpson Limited.
Mr. Ritchie retired in 1948 and the couple came to Clarksburg in 1950, where they lived on Russell Street.
Before enlisting with the 147th infantry regiment of Grey in 1915 (sic, should be 1916), he was employed by Ontario Hydro. He served overseas until he was wounded at the Battle of Passchendaele October 7, 1917. He remained enlisted until 1919.
A member of the 147th Association, he was also with the Beaver Valley Canadian Legion Branch No. 281, and a charter member of the Grey Masonic Lodge in Toronto No. 589. Survivors include his wife and three sisters, Ethel, Mrs. Alfred Hodgkinson of Markdale, Bella [Della], Mrs. Emerson Craven of Holland Centre, and Mary, Mrs. Harry Dinsmore of Thornbury. Mr. Ritchie was predeceased by one sister, May, Mrs. Lorne Livingstone of Holland Centre."

There were a number of former Grey County men / veterans who resided in Toronto after the war, and there were two Masonic Lodges that some of them attended, e.g Grey Masonic Lodge. A lot of their war-time pals of the 4th C.M.R. (a Toronto-based regiment) were likely still in Toronto after the war.

John W. Ritchie was married on July 21, 1926 to Lydia Mary Walker (usually known as May). He was 36 and she was 31. Her parents were William Walker and Mary Ann Riddell Walker of Clarksburg, Grey County, Ontario. John had been working as an Electrician at Toronto at the time of his marriage.

John W. Ritchie was buried at the Thornbury & Clarksburg Union Cemetery. His tombstone reads b. 1888-d. 1958.

Later on, circa 1963, his wife, May Ritchie, still resided at Clarksburg, Ontario.

Occupation

147th Battalion (Visitor to the Canadian Greys Rooms operated by Mrs. Eaton)
First World War veteran
31st Grey Regiment (prior to 1916)
Electrician

Publications

OWEN SOUND SUN TIMES, "First War Veteran John Ritchie Dies in His 70th Year", May 16, 1958
Auer, George Scott, THE DAY THE RAVEBEEK RAN GREY, 2018, mentions J. W. Ritchie being wounded.

Relationships

Sister: Ethel Victoria Ritchie (Mrs. Alfred Hodgkinson)
Sister: Emma Ritchie
Sister: Martha E. Ritchie
Sister: Della Ritchie (Mrs. Emerson Craven)
Sister: Mary Ritchie (Mrs. Harry Dinsmore)
Sister: Lattie B. Ritchie