Riddel, John Dean
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Regiment: 5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Biography: Son of George Riddel, farmer, Kininmonth, Longside ; born New Deer, 8 September 1893 ; educated Kininmonth Public School and Peterhead Academy, gaining the Medal for Classics. He entered the University in 1914, with a view to qualifying for work as a Medical Missionary in China. As a student Riddel was in the O.T.C. He enlisted in the 5th Gordons in 1915 ; after a year's service first as Private and then as Corporal and Musketry Instructor, he was gazetted to the 4th Reserve Battalion and posted to the 5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders. In January 1917 he left for France, where he served till his death on 17 April 1917 from wounds received in action near Arras ten days previously. Of a quiet, kindly disposition, he endeared himself to his friends, who hold his memory in affectionate regard. Young as he was, he had already mapped out for himself a definite career of self-sacrifice and Christian endeavour, but he willingly gave up all, to follow what he so clearly saw to be the path of duty.
Date of Death: 17 April 1917
Burial Details: Buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, Plot 17, Row E, Grave 6.
Publication: Roll of Service, edited by Mabel Desborough Allardyce. Published 1921.
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