Driver James Ricketts

James Ricketts was the son of James and Isabella Rickets, of Newcastle-on-Tyne.

He attended Bath Lane Secondary school, which he left at the age of 14 to join the family haulage business. By the time he was 19 he had his own team of Clydesdale horses and his own car. It was his ambition to build up the family business and replace the horses with lorries.

He joined the Army on the 15 March 1940, serving with the Royal Army Service Corps.

Driver Ricketts successfully completed his despatcher training and was posted to 63 (Airborne) Composite Company, Royal Army Service Corps, and took part in Operation Market Garden (Arnhem).

Dvr Ricketts was in the crew of RAF 271 Squadron, Dakota KG-374, based at Down Ampney. The aircraft was hit by Flak while on a re-supply mission and crashed at Reijerskamp, north of Wolfheze at 15.16 hours on 19 September 1944. The following details appeared in the ‘London Gazette’ of 13 November 1945: “On September 19, 1944, F/Lt Lord was pilot and captain of an aircraft detailed to drop supplies to our troops, who were closely surrounded at Arnhem. For accuracy this had to be done at 900 feet. While approaching the target at 1500 feet the aircraft was severely damaged and set on fire. F/Lt Lord would have been justified in withdrawing or even abandoning his aircraft but, knowing that supplies were desperately needed, he continued on his course. Twice going down to 900 feet under very intense fire, he successfully dropped his containers. His task completed, he ordered his crew to abandon the aircraft, making no attempt himself to leave. A few seconds later the aircraft fell in flames, only one of the crew surviving.”

Dvr Ricketts was killed in action on 19 September 1944, aged 27, and was initially buried along with the other crew members alongside the aircraft. He was re-interred to Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery on 22 August 1945.

He is buried in Oosterbeek CWGC Cemetery, 15. B. 14.

Photo taken of him in uniform circa 1940-43.