OBITUARY

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIII, Issue 3965, 8 March 1944, Page 2

OBITUARY

COMMANDER B. H. A. RIDGWAY. RECORD OF SERVICE. The death occurred at the Waikato Hospital on Tuesday of a wellknown resident of Roto-o-rangi in Commander B. H. A. Ridgway, O. R.N.R. (Rtd.) aged 71 years. The late Commander was born in 1872 at Halifax, Yorkshire, his father being a woollen manufacturer. In 1885 the younger Ridgway went to see joining H.M.S. Conway J in 1885 and he served on this ship for three years. He sailed on the sailing ship, Glen Alvon from 1888 to 1892 an l afterwards joined the P. £ o line. Whh this company he served in India, China and Japan. He retired from the sea in 1905 and joined his uncle as a pottery manufacturer, later becoming managing director. When the works were eventually sold Commander Ridgway came to New Zealand to join his two sons. They took up the property at Roto-o-rangi and deceased had resided there since. The late Commander held an extra 'Master’s certificate a Commission in the R.N.R. since 1902. He also won the Royal Humane Society’s certificate for saving life in Hong Kong harbour. He did a lot of Indian trooping and carried troops from England during the Boer War. During the last war he was a transport officer in Italy, Marseilles, Trieste and Cyprus and for services rendered he received the 0.8. E. and was twice mentioned in despatches. The late Commander Ridgway was .married twice, the first occasion being in India in 1904 and his wife died 10 years later. His second wife, who worked with him for 25 years at the pottery,' came out to New Zealand in 1930. She predeceased her husband a year ago. Deceased is survived by two married sons and two grandsons. All ranks of the R.S.A. are requested to attend the funeral as advertised. MR. G. J. MURTAGH LEAMINGTON RESIDENT The death occurred at Hamilton on Friday last of Mr Herbert Murtagh, of Moumoukai, aged 38 years. The late Mr Murtagh was a son of Mrs Ann Murtagh and the late G. J. Murtagh, well-known residents of Leamington.