Alexander Ridland : Rugby Player

Dolphin · Jun 14, 2009

This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who died during The Great War. If anyone has further information on the men concerned, I’d be most grateful if it could be added to the thread.

Gareth

Ridland, Alexander James played for New Zealand

Internationals: 3 : 1910 A+ A- A+

Alexander Ridland was born on 3 March 1882, in Invercargill

Played as a Hooker for: Star, Southland, South Island

Profession: Blacksmith

War service: 72271, Rifleman, 1st Battalion, 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade, NZ Division.

He died of wounds on 5 November 1918, in France, and is buried in Caudry British Cemetery, Nord, France [Grave IV. F. 31

liverpool annie · Jun 14, 2009

In Memory of
Rifleman ALEXANDER JAMES RIDLAND

72271, 1st Bn. 3rd, New Zealand Rifle Brigade
who died
on 05 November 1918

Remembered with honour
CAUDRY BRITISH CEMETERY

Alexander James 'Jimmy' Ridland

Born 3 March 1883, Invercargill Parents W. Ridland (father), 13 Dublin St, North Invercargill. Education Unknown. Physical Unknown Province Southland Rugby Club First made All Blacks from Invercargill Star. AB# 164 Position Hooker All Black Debut 3 June 1910 v Wellington aged 28 International Debut 25 June 1910 v Australia, Sydney, aged 28 Last Test 2 July 1910 v Australia at Sydney aged 28 Rank Rifleman, 1st Battalion

Alexander James 'Jimmy' Ridland was a typically hardnosed Southland forward from the Invercargill Star club, whom he helped to win several Invercargill senior titles. A versatile forward, he could play in most positions though it was as a hooker that he appeared in international rugby. He was a tough-as-teak forward from Southland.

We know very little about Jimmy Ridland's upbringing, schooling or background apart from his listed occupation being 'Blacksmith'.
Between 1907 and 1913 Ridland played in 22 matches for Southland. He was also in the South Island side in 1909, 1910 and 1913. Among the major matches in which he appeared for Southland were those against international tourists, the Anglo Welsh in 1908. Playing alongside Ridland was another of the 'First XIII' All Blacks who died in WWI, James McNeece. Ridland also played for Southland against Australia in 1913, and in a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Auckland in 1907.

Five years later, the world went to war but instead of enlisting straight away, Ridland waited until 1918 to sign-up. The reason why is unknown
After a 'rushed' training at Trentham, near Wellington in 1918, Ridland made the two month journey to England and would have arrived at 'Sling Camp' in Bulford mid July before heading to Etaples, France, for last minute training. He was then assigned to the highly honoured and respected New Zealand Rifle Brigade who had been through such campaigns as Egypt, Somme, Messines and Passchendaele and was by this stage, heading in a straight line towards Baupaume, France. Pressure on the front lines by the Germans had eased since their last attack at the Somme in April, however the ongoing barrages still claimed an average of 40 New Zealand lives per day. The Brigade had just met and stopped the German army's advance on Paris, effectively turning the tide of the First World War with just the weapons they carried!
So, Ridland arrived just after the extremely wet winter of 1918 and would have also just missed witnessing the very first tank battle in history. More battles followed though and he would have experienced what was to be some of the most intense and fierce fighting of war to date; Ancre a la Sambre at Puisieux au Mont, 'Bloody' Bapaume, Crevecoeur and finally Ridland's last battle - Le Quesnoy. Some historians say that our battle-hardened troops were the best amongst their allied fighting neighbours but the truth be known, by this stage in the war we had lost all of our seasoned and experienced leaders either to death, injury or mental and physical breakdown! Coupled with the influx of quickly-trained reinforcements, it wasn't exactly the elite division some say it was. Non-the-less, the New Zealanders still dominated the war arena and stunned the German army with their relentless advances.
Just 4 kilometres east of Beaudignies in northern France is Le Quesnoy. This town was in German hands for almost all of the First World War, from August 1914, until the New Zealanders liberated it on 4 November 1918. It was the Division's final action of the First World War and sadly, Jimmy Ridland's last full day alive. Just one week before the Armistice was signed, Ridland, along with the other troops stormed the walled French town. The 90 men killed were among the last of the 12,483 who fell on the Western Front. The capture of the French town by the New Zealand Division has special significance in New Zealand's military history. This is not merely because it was the last major action by the New Zealanders in the Great War but also because it was captured in a particular way. The New Zealanders scaled the 30ft ladders (ex-Paris Fire Brigade) they set against the ancient walls of the town and took the remaining Germans as prisoners with minimal loss of civilian lives.
Jimmy Ridland received fatal wounds and died the following day on the 5th November. He is buried in the Caudry British Cemetery just southwest of Le Quesnoy, near Cambrai.
Click to expand...

http://www.nixonpictures.co.nz/All_Blacks_WWI_Jimmy_Ridland.html

Dolphin · Jun 14, 2009

Thanks for the extra information. Much appreciated.

Gareth

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