The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. R D Ritchie

Robert Douglas Ritchie was born in Leslie, Fife, Scotland in 1915, the son of Harry Ritchie and Georgina Johnston Ritchie.

He was educated at Kirkcaldy High School where he was in the First Rugby XV. On leaving he was employed by J Harley Hepburn, Chartered Accountants in Kirkcaldy.

Ritchie joined the RAFVR in April 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and was serving with 605 Squadron at Drem in early July 1940.

During a section patrol off the east coast on 9th August 1940, Ritchie called up, reporting that he had a glycol leak and the fumes were making him drowsy.

He crashed into the sea one mile off Dunbar, East Lothian in Hurricane L2103, breaking his neck.

His body was picked up by the motor yacht Eunmara.

Ritchie was 24. He is buried in Leslie Cemetery, Fife.