James Thomas RITCHIE

James (Jim) enlisted on 18 Jun 1941 and posted to Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) Training Depot on 20 Jun 1941. Promoted Acting Corporal on 23 Jun 1941 and transferred to AAMC on 6 Aug 1941. Appointed Acting Lance Sergeant on 26 Aug 1941 and Acting Sergeant on 4 Sept 1941. He embarked for the Middle East on 26 sept 1942 and reverted to Private on 21 Oct 1941, promoted Acting Corporal 25 Oct 1941 and he transferred to 2/7th Field Ambulance and reverted to Private again on 16 Nov 1942. He returned to Australia with 2/7th Field Ambulance, AAMC on 28 Mar 1942. He joined the 2/4th Australian Independent Company and was promoted to Corporal again on 21 Sept 1942. He embarked for Timor aboard "HMAS VOYAGER" on 22 Sept 1942 and he returned to Australia with 2/4th Australian Independent Company on 18 Feb 1943.

He transferred to the 2/2nd on 28 Apr 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Corporal in Medical Section, Headquarters Group and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. After leave and reorganization, he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Corporal in Medical Section, Headquarters Group.

He returned to Australia aboard "KANIMBLA" on 4 Oct 1945 and was discharged on 1 Nov 1945.

He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.