Sergeant Stanley Ritchie, son of John and Agnes Ritchie of Belfast, Northern Ireland, served with 8th (Midlands) Parachute Battalion. He took part in operations in Normandy and the Ardennes offensive in the Winter of 1944-5. He joined the Army 10 May 1994 and served with RA (Light Anti Aircraft) before volunteering for the airborne forces. 

Stanley was successfully parachute jump trained at RAF Ringway on Course 119. This course ran between 3 and 22 June 1944. The course was for reinforcements for the airborne division. It consisted of 2 descents from balloon and a further 6 descents from aircraft. He was then posted to No. Airborne Forces Holding Unit. Stanley's PJI noted this about his performance on the course:

"Average, nervous but determined and cheerful"

He was then posted to The 8th Parachute Battalion, B Coy. 

Sergeant Ritchie died as a result of a 'battle accident' on 2 February 1945, aged 23 years old. It is believed he died after accidently discharging his weapon. He is now buried at Venray War Cemetery, Limburg in Holland.