Alan MacDougall Ritchie
Quick Facts
Biography
Alan MacDougall Ritchie (25 June 1893 - 30 April 1964) was an officer in the British Army during World War I and World War II.
Ritchie was educated at Highgate School and attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. During the Great War he was a Captain in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was mentioned in dispatches and was awarded the Order of the Redeemer.
He was appointed commanding officer of the 1st Royal Scots from 1918-1919 and of the 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1937. He won a DSO for service in Palestine in 1939 and became a brigade commander of the 26th (East African) Brigade and the 21st (East African) Brigade in the King's African Rifles during the East African Campaign. As commander of the 21st (East African) Brigade (11th African Division), Ritchie was detached to 1st South African Division from 27 February until 6 April and, thereafter, to the 12th African Division. In later life he was Assistant Commissioner in Chief of the St John Ambulance Brigade from 1950 to 1957 and was awarded an OBE in the 1958 Birthday Honours.
Command history
- 1940 to 1941 Commanding Officer, Area, Middle East
- 1941 Commanding Officer, 26th East African Brigade, 12th African Division, East Africa
- 1941 Commanding Officer, 21st East African Brigade, 11th African Division, East Africa
- 1941 to 1943 Commanding Officer, 21st East African Brigade, East Africa and Ceylon