Ritchie, Matthew

  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Veterans Index
  4. /
  5. P – S
  6. /
  7. Ritchie, Matthew
PERSONAL DETAILSMatthew RITCHIE (Ritchey)
Birth date and place14 Nov 1831 Killyleagh, Newtownards, Down, Ireland.
Baptism date and place
Civil Census Residences
England, Wales & Scotland
Occupations pre-WALabourer.
Physical DescriptionHeight: 5 ft. 7½ ins. Complexion: fresh. Eyes: grey. Hair: light.
Marriage date and place1st: 15 Apr 1857 Killinchy, Down, Ireland.
2nd: 17 Jun 1881 Northampton, Western Australia.
Spouse1st: Susannah QUINN (d. 1875).
2nd: Mary DALTON widow of Patrick Fahey.
ChildrenIsabella bp. 1857, Raffrey, Down, Ireland.
Osborne bp. 1860, Raffrey, Down, Ireland.
Agnes Susanah b. 1865, Geraldton, Western Australia.
Matthew Francis b. 1868, Greenough, Western Australia.
William John b. 1870, Victoria District, Western Australia.
Alice May b. 1872 Greenough, Western Australia.
Anne Jane b. 1874 (d.1874), Northampton, Western Australia.
George b. 1875 (d.1875), Northampton, Western Australia.
Death date and place15 May 1892 Western Australia.
Burial date and place
Will and ProbateNone.
Death Notices and Obituaries
ARMED FORCES
Regiment(s)41st (The Welch) Regiment.
Regiment No. and Rank#2829 Private.
Attestation date and place24 May 1849 Belfast, Down.
Service/CampaignsIonian Islands 1 year 11 months.
Malta 1 year 1 month.
Turkey & Crimea 2 years.
Musters1851 Cork, Ireland and at sea [WO12-5447].
Promotions & ReductionsPrivate to Corporal 1 Apr 1854.
Corporal to Private 1 Sep 1855.
Medals, Clasps and BadgesCrimea War Medal clasps Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol.  Turkish Crimea Medal.
Casualty/MedicalCasualty Roll: Severe Wound. Final Attack on the Redan. 08 September 1855.
Unable to march or do the active duties of a soldier, in consequence of a bullet (musket) having (on Sep 8/55 in the final assault on Sebastopol) lodged in the Right Foot, entering to the outside of the Tendo Achillis about 2 inches above its attachment (insertion) and was taken out 2 months afterwards at the same place. He states that the bullet lodged at the anterior part of the instep, though it was taken out where it entered. In consequence, the R. heel is an inch off the ground and that knee joint is impaired in function.
Unfit for further service [Chatham July 1/55].
Regimental Courts MartialConfined awaiting trial 30 Aug to 1 Sep 1855.
Tried at Camp before Sevastopol 1 Sep 1855 for being drunk returning from Scutari sick.
Sentenced Reduction to Private. One Ring [Good Conduct Badge] with pay forfeited.
District Courts MartialNone.
General Courts MartialNone.
Discharge date and place29 Jul 1856 Chatham.
Length of Service6 years 246 days.
Chelsea Pension ReferenceWO97/1518/63.
Post Discharge ResidenceNot stated.
Post Discharge Pension DistrictNewry (1856). 2nd Belfast (1860). 1st Belfast (1861).
Pension Amount8d. per diem. Increased to 10d. per diem on 18 Jan 1881 for EPF service.
Patriotic Fund.
ARRIVAL AND LIFE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
ShipClyde.
Departure and Arrival15 Mar 1863 Plymouth; 29 May 1863 Fremantle.
Status/OccupationEnrolled Pensioner Force.
Enrolled Guard 15 Dec 1881 to disbandment 31 Mar 1887.
Land Grant/Purchase27 Oct 1880 Greenough Flats, Victoria District, Location G25, 16 acres (grant).
26 Nov 1883 Greenough, Victoria District, Location G26, 16 acres (grant).
SubscriptionsNone.
Misc. Newspaper ArticlesWest Australian  Oct 1881 (four weeks) & Jul 1882 (five weeks) see sidebar.
West Australian 31 Mar 1887 – unlicenced cart.
Enquirer & Commercial News 6 Apr 1887.