Friday, January 29, 2010

Private A. Riddlesworth - 135832

According this his attestation papers dated July 27, 1915 at Toronto, Albert Riddlesworth was born on June 10, 1895 at Stockport, England.  He listed his father William Henry Riddlesworth, Manitoba Street, Mimico as his next of kin.  He listed his occupation as colour mixer and indicated that he had 9 months previous military experience with the "C Forces".  He was 20 years old and stood 5 feet, 3 3/4 inches in height.  He had blue eyes, fair hair and complexion.  He was a member of the Church of England. 

According to the 1914 Toronto City directory Albert was a "color mixer" living with his father, Wm H. on the south side of Manitoba Street, Mimico.

According to the Mimico Story by Harvel Currell, Albert Riddlesworth was the first soldier from Mimico to be killed in World War I.   He was killed on April 9, 1916.  He was a member of the 42nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment).  It does not appear that his remains were every found.  He is listed on the Menin Gate at the Ypres Memorial.

Interestingly according to the CEF burial register he was "killed in action at 10:00 o'clock in the morning while in Trench 65 at Sanctuary Wood, east of Ypres when he was hit by a fragment from an enemy shell".

Additional information from the Canadian Virtual War Memorial indicates that he was the son of William Henry and Lydia Riddlesworth, of 122, Symons St., Mimico, Ontario. Born at Stockport, England.

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