Randolph Gordon Ridling, AM

Randolph Gordon RIDLING, AM New Zealand Rifle Brigade

Randolph Ridling was born in 1888, in Auckland. He was educated at Auckland Grammar School and attended Auckland  University College before becoming a teacher. He was teaching  at Pukekohe when war broke out and he enlisted in 1915. Within a month he was promoted to Warrant Officer and shortly  before sailing for France was commissioned as a Second  Lieutenant.

Severely wounded in France in 1917, Ridling was evacuated  to England. After a long convalescence he returned to duty at  Brocton Camp in 1918. Unable to return to the front because  of his unhealed wounds, he became a bombing instructor. On 19 April 1918 a recruit dropped a grenade in the throwing bay  after pulling the pin. Lieutenant Ridling picked the man up  and started to carry him out of the bay, but the bomb  exploded, wounding Ridling severely and the recruit lightly. Lieutenant Ridling was awarded the Albert Medal for his gallantry in saving the life of the recruit.

The last six months of Ridling’s Army career were spent as an Education Officer in the newly formed  Army Education Corps. After his discharge from the Army he continued his university education  and also continued to teach. He was employed by the Department of Education as a supervisor and  inspector before being appointed Director of the Wellington Technical College in 1931.

In 1971, it was announced that living holders of the Albert Medal should exchange their medals for George Crosses. Ridling asked the Queen if he could retain his medal because of its sentimental  value to him, and his request was granted.  After a distinguished career, Randolph Ridling died in  1975 at Wellington, aged 87.

His medals are held by the National Army Museum, Waiouru, New Zealand.

Source: National Army Museum Bio Capt Ridling AM (147KB PDF)

Links: Links:

• Cenotaph Record

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• Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Feb 1 2017, 1:27:02 UTC