Major Herbert M McRitchie MC

Herbert Michael McRitchie (Mike) was born on 9 April 1928. He was granted an emergency commission in the Black Watch in July 1947 and was posted to 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry. He was awarded the Military Cross serving with them in Palestine in 1948.

He transferred on a regular commission to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in 1949 and was posted to the 16th Parachute Independent Brigade Ordnance Corps from 1951 to 1953. After which he was appointed Brigade Ordnance Officer and saw service in Egypt, Cyprus and at Suez in 1956. He transferred to The Parachute Regiment in May 1958 and served with the 1st battalion.

It was during this deployment to Cyprus, commanding D Company 1 PARA, that he was central to the capture of one of the EOKA leaders Kyriakos Matsis. Matsis had been responsible for the deaths of William Jamieson (a Church of Scotland worker) and also a policeman, Stelios Kazannas.  On a patrol into the Dhikomo village, Kyrenia, soldiers searched a 4-room house on the village outskirts. Soldiers probed the floor for voids, and discovered a square yard block of tiles in the bathroom. It was noticed that there was a window adjacent to the hide and the attached interpreter shouted for Matsis to come out. Matsis replied that 2 would come out, and the hatch was lifted and the men arrested. Matsis was also told to come out but replied "I'll come out shooting".  Maj McRitchie dropped a tear gas into the opening and warned the next would be live if he did not surrender.  After moving out of the room, Maj McRitchie heard a burst of gunfire and immediately returned and dropped a live grenade into the opening.  A further grenade was dropped to ensure there were no other explosives.  Matsis was found to have shot himself and had a Sterling MG and pistol alongside him. 

In 1959 he became the Training Major of 12/13 PARA and OC PCAU from mid-1961 to mid-1963.  He was then appointed Staff Captain Q Ops Middle East Land Forces in Aden for a 2-year tour before moving to 3 PARA in British Guiana in 1965, followed by a short tour at Depot PARA in 1966.

Later in 1967, he was appointed DAA and QMG in Far East Land Forces and in 1969 moved to RHQ PARA as SO2 Recruiting.  From here he went on to GSO2 HQ 38 Group RAF and in 1974 was given a key co-ordinating role during the presentation of Colours to the three regular Battalions and 4 PARA(V), by Her Majesty the Queen. He continued in the recruiting field until 1978 and was then appointed OC HQ Company Depot PARA.  

Mike retired from the Regular Army in April 1983. 

He did, however, fulfil a role with cadets, serving at HQ South East/Southern District as RO3 Cadets until he retired, at age 65, in April 1993, after a remarkable total of 46 years of service to the Crown. In a letter to the then Col Commandant, a school headmaster stated:

"Major McRitchie is one of the men who has helped us for many years, not simply from behind a desk but also at adventure training camps and more recently in a splendid enterprise 'Alpine Challenge'.  Boys and officers coming into contact with him think rightly that he is 'great', as they put it, as well as being 'tremendous fun'".

Mike also undertook other roles which kept him busy with wider regimental matters, including running the Airborne Forces Museum, Aldershot, for many years, and later serving as a trustee during its move to Duxford. He was also involved with the Airborne Assault Normandy Trust, joining on its formation in 1978, and acting as its secretary for many years afterwards.

Mike was also known for his immaculate turnout as Master of the Sandhurst and Aldershot Beagles, with an occasional well-reported robust defence of the pack from saboteurs. He was also renowned for his skill as a small boat sailor (he was secretary of The Infantry Sailing Association (Dinghies) from 1977 to 1993.  Mike also had a role as Church Warden at the Aldershot Garrison Church - where it was said barely a Sunday passed at the Church when this well-groomed officer with a beaming smile and clipped moustache did not offer a cheerful greeting to the congregation.

Mike was married to Margaret in 1959, an official with the Foreign Office, who had earned an MBE. 

In the words of the commendation issued to Mike by the Colonel Commandant:

"Michael is now an 'Elder' of the Regiment, not a Field Marshal, not one of the Generals, but one of those indispensable characters and workers whose loyalty underpins all that Regimental Life means to the British Army."

Maj McRitchie passed away in late 2023.