Henry Hanna Ritchie was the youngest son of Samuel and Margaret Ritchie. He was born on 31st May 1898 in Ballymoghan, near Magherafelt. He was the youngest of at least seven children, all born in the Magherafelt area. His father was a farmer. When he was 17, he emigrated to the United States. Henry signed up for military service at St Louis, Missouri. Private Henry Ritchie was in training with the American Army at Spartanburg, South Carolina when he died on 1st November 1917 and is buried in Spartanburg.
Further Information
Henry Hanna Ritchie was the youngest son of Samuel and Margaret Ritchie. Samuel Ritchie and Margaret Hanna were married on 23rd November 1880in the district of Magherafelt.
Henry Hanna Ritchie was born on 31st May 1898 in Ballymoghan, near Magherafelt. He was the youngest of at least seven children, all born in the Magherafelt area.
Known family: Samuel Ritchie, Margaret J Ritchie, Robert B Ritchie (born 8th September 1881), Alexander Ritchie (born 26th July 1883), Samuel J Ritchie (born 12th June 1887), William J Ritchie (born 17th February 1889), Minnie Sarah Ritchie - (born 4th February 1891), Sarah Ritchie - (born 10th November 1893, died 22nd February 1894), Henry ‘Harry’ Hanna Ritchie (born 31st May 1898).
The 1901 census lists Harry (as he was known) as age 2, living with the family at house 11 in Ballymoghan More, County Londonderry. Samuel Ritchie was a farmer.
The 1911 census lists Henry as age 12 with his father at house 4 in Main Street, Portstewart.
Henry Hanna Ritchie emmigated to the United States. He arrived at Ellis Island, New York on 15th Aug 1915 from Liverpool . He was 17 years old. He listed his two next of kin as his father, Samuel Ritchie, and his brother, William C J Ritchie.
Henry became a naturalised American citizen on 21st May 1917 at Kings in New York. He was working as a clerk and living at 179 Marcy Avenue, Brooklyn.
Henry’s cousin, William Hanna, also became a naturalised American citizen on the same day.
A military record gives his ‘Residence Place’ as Arlington, New Jersey. This may be where he is buried.
Henry H Ritchie signed up for Military Service at St Louis, Missouri.
Private Henry Hanna Ritchie was in training with the American Expeditionary Force at Spartanburg, South Carolina when he died on 1st November 1917. He was with the 102nd Engineers.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th December 1942: 25 Years ago - Deaths
1st November 1917 - At Spartanburg, South Carolina, Private Henry H Ritchie, 23rd Engineers, aged 30 years.
Private Henry Hanna Ritchie is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. His inscription reads:
‘Harry H Ritchie 1897-1917. Born in Ireland, died on Spartanburg. Member of Company 8, 23rd Engineers’
Many thanks to Dennis Burke of Dublin, whose excellent research uncovered the grave details. Denis’s website is ‘Foreign Aircraft in Ireland 1939-1945’. The website is www.ww2irishaviation.com The link is below.
Private Henry Hanna Ritchie is commemorated on a plaque in 1st Presbyterian Church, Magherafelt.
A plaque in 1st Presbyterian Church, Magherafelt commemorates Private Harry H Ritchie:
In Memory of Private Harry H Ritchie, American Expeditionary Force, died in camp 1st November 1917.
