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239346 L/Cpl. James Battle Ritchie British Army 17th (2nd City) Btn. Manchester Regiment from:Chorlton, Manchester, Lancashire (d.23rd April 1917) My Grandfather, James Ritchie, who unfortunately I never knew, was born on 23 November 1878 in Chorlton, Manchester. He was a member of the City Pals, 17th Battalion, Manchester Regiment as a Lance Corporal. He died on 23rd April 1917 while fighting during the 1st Battle of Arras. His body was never found. His name is marked on The Arras Memorial at Faubourg-D Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France. James was a renown baritone in the Manchester and surrounding areas, winning 1st Prize at the 'Preston Musical Festival of 1907' for his Solo Baritone performance. Before the Great War James worked for The Great Central Railway as an Accounts Clerk, leaving to join the British Army when war broke out. Manchester GCRJ gives his service number as 396. Please type your message:      We recommend you copy the text about this item and keep a copy on your own computer before pressing submit. Your Name:             Email Address:       @ **Please put the first part of your email, (before the @ sign) in the first box, and the second part in the second box. Do not include @, it is automatic. Do not enter your full email in each box or add an @ sign or random spaces.**