colonel john Ricketts

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colonel john Ricketts

Postby IAN » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:34 pm

Looking for any information on colonel john Ricketts who lived in broadheath area
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Postby scully » Fri Nov 03, 2006 4:02 pm

Hi Ian,

I have the following information for you:

Jack Dillion Ricketts (army number 66129), known as John, was commissioned from R.M.C. Sandhurst, on 29th August 1935, and saw his first service until January 1937, at Aldershot. He was then posted to the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment at Sialkot, India. From March to November 1938, he was Station Staff Officer, Jutogh Hill Station, near Simle, India.

He was on leave in England on the outbreak of the Second World War 1939-1945 and mobilised at the Regimental Depot, Norton Barracks, where he was appointed Assistant Adjutant and signalling Officer, I.T.C., The Worcestershire Regiment. From May 1940 to December 1941, he was Adjutant of the 10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment in Northern Ireland, and a Company Commander in that Battalion from January 1942 to July 1944.

In September 1944, he was re-posted to the 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment and commanded a Rifle Company in that Battalion (‘B’ Company) with the rank of Temporary Major.

He served in North West Europe from October 1944 to July 1954.

He was awarded the D.S.O. (for the action at Tripsrath on the 18th November 1944) whilst serving with the 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment in North West Europe.

From August to December 1945, he was a Company Commander with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Warwickshire Regiment in Belgium and Palestine.

He was appointed D.A.A.G., H.Q.3 Infantry Division, Palestine in December 1945, and this was followed by a course at the Staff College, Quetta from June to December 1946. After leaving the Staff College he was successively Brigade Major to 6th British Independent Para. Brigade., India and then to 3rd Para. Brigade, Palestine.

From March 1948 to March 1951, he was G.S.O. II, Ministry of Supply in London.

Re-posted again to the 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, he commanded a Rifle Company in the Battalion in operations against Communist Terrorists in Malaya from May 1951, to August 1953. He was appointed D.A.Q.M.G. (Quartering) War Office in September 1953, and in April 1955, he was selected to command the Worcestershire Regi¬mental Depot at Norton Barracks, which appointment he held until January 1958.

At the conclusion of his tour of duty as Depot Commander he was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel and assumed the appointment of C.O., The Hong Kong Regiment, Royal Hong Kong Defence Corps, Hong Kong, until returning to England on the expiration of this command in April 1960. On his return to the U.K. he was Administrative Officer (R.O. III), at Regimental Headquarters, Norton Barracks.

Lieut.-Colonel Ricketts retired on July 5th 1960, after 25 years service.

Lieut.-Colonel and Mrs. Ricketts use to live at the late Lieut.-Colonel J. L. Heselton's former house, Southbury, Lower Broadheath, Near Worcester. Mrs Ricketts left the U.K. after Colonel Ricketts died and went to live in New Zealand I believe they had a son there.

About 18 months or so ago I was in personal contact with his wife Dorothy who was still in New Zealand. I am also in regular contact with an officer who served in John Ricketts 'B' Company in 1944-45.

Hope the above is of interest.

May I also ask why you were asking about John Ricketts?

Regards,

Louis
Last edited by scully on Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
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my co

Postby CPLCLIVE » Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:48 am

??
Hi Ian
John Ricketts was my commanding officer while I was an instructer with training company at the Regimental Depot Norton Barracks he was a very good officer the type you would run through a brick wall for scrupulously fair and always ready with the praise if it was deserved I never met anyone who did not like him. He will Albert;ways top the list of my favorite officers.
?/?
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