Sergeant Angus G McRitchie

Sergeant Angus Gillies McRitchie was the son of Bella McRitchie, and was unmarried. He served in the 7th Battalion, the Cameron Highlanders which became the 5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion, forming part of the 2nd Parachute Brigade in May 1942. After ground training at Hardwick, an intake from the Cameronians comprising of 19 Officers and 275 Other Ranks assembled at Ringway on Sunday 6 September 1942.

The men brought their own pipe and drums band to Ringway and this introduced a touch of pageantry to camp life. Warm sunny days with light winds provided exceptionally fine conditions although the ground was rather dry and hard. The weather was so favourable that the first balloon descents were made on the Tuesday afternoon. Sgt McRitchie completed two balloon jumps without mishap but suffered fatal injuries on his second descent from an aircraft as a result of a parachuting accident on Thursday 10 September. Sgt McRitchie’s fatality subsequently led to another man on the course refusing to jump.
 
Sergeant McRitchie died on 10 September 1942, aged 29 years old. He is buried at Manchester Southern Cemetery.

Cemetery Photo courtesy of CWGC.