Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Victory Medal 1914-19 (Brig. Gen. E. P. A. Riddell.) edge bruising, nearly very fine £140-£180

Knight Bachelor London Gazette 28 August 1945: Brigadier-General Edward Pius Arthur Riddell, C.M.G., D.S.O., Chairman of the Hexham Conservative Association and of the Speaker’s Election Committee.

C.M.G. London Gazette 1 January 1919:
‘For services rendered in connection with military operations in France and Flanders.’

D.S.O. London Gazette 3 June 1916, citation published 13 December 1916:
‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He showed the greatest skill and foresight in assembling his battalion and subsequently launched them to the attack without a casualty, in broad daylight, on ground observed by the enemy. His personal bravery, energy, and example exercised great influence over all ranks.

D.S.O. Second Award Bar London Gazette 26 September 1917, citation published 10 January 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a battalion in reserve during an attack. He threw in a counter-attack at a counter stroke by the enemy, and held on to an eminence of the highest tactical importance throughout the afternoon. His dispositions not only allowed the brigade to fall back in order before superior numbers, but materially reduced the enemy's strength, as he held off three counter-attacks and inflicted crushing casualties on the enemy. He eventually assumed command and reorganised two other units of the brigade, and passed four times through a heavy hostile barrage to his brigade headquarters to report on the situation. He handled a most difficult situation with consummate skill, and his utter disregard of danger not only encouraged the men to further effort but was a magnificent example of courage and determination.’

D.S.O. Third Award Bar London Gazette 26 July 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during several days of severe fighting in rearguard actions, when he repeatedly organised counter-attacks, and personally led two of them. After the whole of his staff had become casualties, and two of his commanding officers had been hit, his magnificent example, and total disregard of danger had the greatest effect in steadying his command.’

Sir Edward Pius Arthur Riddell was born on 23 May 1875 and was commissioned into the Northumberland Fusiliers from the Militia in February 1900, and served with them in Transvaal during the Boer War from February 1901 to May 1902. He transferred to the Rifle Brigade in 1908, and following the outbreak of the Great War was at Sandhurst in command of a Company of Gentleman Cadets, before proceeding to France in command of the 1st/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment on 10 June 1916. He served in command of the battalion until 1 October 1917, and then served on the Staff. Wounded three times, for his services during the Great War he was four times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 11 December 1916, 4 January 1917, 21 December 1917, and 20 December 1918), was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his gallantry at the Schwaben Redoubt, Thiepval, Somme, in 1916 (described by Haig as ‘one of the finest feats of arms in the history of the British Army’); a Second Award Bar for this gallantry at St. Julien, Belgium in 1917; and a Third Award Bar whilst in command of 149th Brigade, 50th Division, in March 1918. He was also appointed a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. He transferred to the Retired List in 1925, and, having received the honour of Knighthood in 1945, died on 3 August 1957.

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