In 1911, the Ritchie family were living at East Meckphin Farm, Methven, Perthshire: Father, James (Farmer), b. c1865, Madderty, Perthshire: Mother, Jane McF., b. c1871, Fowlis Wester, Perthshire; Son, John (C.E. Apprentice), b. 1891, Trinity Gask, Perthshire; Son, William T. (C.E. Apprentice), b. c1893, Fowlis Wester; Son, James D., b. c1897, Trinity Gask; Son, Thomas T., b. c1901, Methven; Son, Robert, b. c1903, Methven; and Daughter, Sophia L. B., b. c1908, Methven. Also living at this address was Jessie Wilson (Housemaid, Domestic), b. c1891, Kippen, Stirlingshire. By the time of his death, his father had died, and the family were living at Pitcullen Terrace, Kinnoull, Perth.

John Ritchie was born on 30th November 1891, and educated at Perth Academy and Edinburgh University. He was a Chartered Accountant, having served his apprenticeship with Messrs. J & R Morison, Accountants, Perth, and served in the Scottish Horse from 1908 to 1912.

He re-enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers on 7th January 1915 and was gazetted Second Lieutenant, The Black Watch, 26th June 1916. John was promoted Lieutenant on 1st June 1916.

He served with the Machine Gun Corps. and was killed in action on the Doiran front, Salonika on 25th April 1917, and was buried there, in the Horseshoe Hill Cemetery.

His Brigadier-General wrote: “He behaved with the utmost gallantry under most trying conditions and his loss is felt very deeply by all of us.” And his Commanding Officer: “He died from the effects of shell wounds while leading his men gallantly to the attack. He was loved by his men, who would have followed him anywhere. Whether he gains decoration or not, you may rest assured he will have his reward, since he did his duty from start to finish.”

John Ritchie was twice recommended for the Military Cross, for gallant and distinguished service in the field. He was 25 years old at the time of his death, and unmarried.

John Ritchie is also commemorated on the Redgorton Parish Church War Memorial; and the Edinburgh University War Memorial.