D.S.O. (GV), M.C. & Bar (GV) Lys, April 1918, For ‘entire disregard of danger’ repeatedly parading along the firing lineduring repeated enemy attacks’ QSA (Lieut. Vol. Co. Cheshire R.), 1914/15 trio (MID) (Capt./Lieut Colonel S. Lancs. Serving with the Volunteer Company in the Boer War, a solicitor prior to the Great War, joined the S.Lancs 1914 serving with the Battalion from 2.Lieut. to Lieutenant Colonel Commanding.

D.S.O. (GV), M.C. (GV) and Second Bar award, Q.S.A. 2 clasps, Tr., S.A.1902, (Lieut. Vol. Coy. Chesh. R.), 1914/15 Star (Capt. S. Lancs R.), B.W.M., Victory. (MID)

Thomas Ridgway

D.S.O. L.G. 3/6/1919

M.C. L.G. 1/1/1918 With recommendation from 55th Division records For exceptional ability in the Ypres Salient between February and June 1917, and duties as Adjutant since June and through the two actions of 31st July and 20th September 1917.

Bar to M.C. L.G. 18/9/1918

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. he showed entire disregard of danger, and repeatedly paraded along the firing line encouaging and giving confidence to his men during repeated enemy attacks. he also helped. to reorganise  the line after a counter-attack, and superintended the distribution of ammunition in the face of heavy machine-gun and rifle fire.’

M.I.D. twice L.G.  15/6/1915 and 9/7/1919

Thomas Ridgway b. 1881 Warrington, Chesh. educ. Shrewsbury. left 1899, Commd. 1900 as 2.Lieut. 3rd Volunteer Battalion, Cheshire Regt. seeing service in South Africa 1902. A solicitor in Warrington (1904) prior to the war he joined the 4/ South Lancs in 1914 as 2. Lieut. going to France with the battalion in February, 1915. In 1917 he became Adjutant and on 11th April, 1918 took over command of the Battalion when the C.O. was killed. He remained as C.O. bringing home the Battalion in 1919.

He returned to his profession after the war with offices in Palmya Square, warrington and was latterly Registrar and High Bailiff of the Warrington and Runcorn Courts,

Died 1950

With research file.

light flakes to reverse centre of DSO