John Anthony Sydney Ritson facts for kids

John Anthony Sydney Ritson (born August 18, 1887 – died October 16, 1957) was an amazing English engineer and rugby player. He was a mines inspector, meaning he checked how safe mines were. Later, he became a professor teaching about mining at Leeds University and the Royal School of Mines in London.

In his younger days, John Ritson was a talented rugby union player. He played for both the England team and the British and Irish Lions, which is a team of top players from Britain and Ireland. He was also part of the first-ever English team to win a Grand Slam in rugby! During World War I, he served as a brave soldier.

John Ritson's Early Life and Career

John Ritson was born in 1887 in Chester-Le-Street, England. He went to Uppingham School and then studied at Durham University. There, he did really well in mining and surveying.

As a young man, Ritson joined the British Army. In 1906, he became a second lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry. In 1912, he earned a special certificate to manage mines. The next year, he started working as a junior mines inspector in Scotland. He also inspected factories and workshops.

Becoming a Professor

John Ritson's work as a mines inspector paused when World War I began. He was called back to serve in the army. After the war, he went back to inspecting mines in Scotland. In 1921, he became a senior inspector in South Wales.

In 1923, Ritson moved back to northern England. He became a Professor of Mining at Leeds University. He worked there for 12 years. In 1935, he received an award called the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). The next year, he became a Professor of Mines at the Royal School of Mines in London. This school is part of Imperial College, London.

Ritson stayed at the Royal School of Mines until 1952. In 1955, he was honored as a fellow of Imperial College. This was to recognize all his hard work. John Ritson had some health problems later in life because of an injury from World War I. He passed away in 1957 when he was 70 years old.

John Ritson's Rugby Adventures

John Ritson loved playing rugby union when he was young and as an adult. He played as a forward for the Northern Football Club.

Playing for the British Lions

In 1908, Ritson was asked to join a special team called the Anglo-Welsh team. This team was a bit like today's British and Irish Lions. They went on a seven-month tour to Australia and New Zealand. Since the tour was for amateur players (meaning they weren't paid), it suggests Ritson was wealthy enough to take so much time off.

He played in the first three games of the tour. He even scored a try in the very first game! On June 6, he played in the first Test match against New Zealand. The British team lost that game. Even though Ritson played in five more games on the tour, he wasn't chosen for the last two Test matches.

Playing for England

Two years after his tour, in 1910, John Ritson was chosen to play for the England team. His first game was against France in the 1910 Five Nations Championship. England won 11–3, which was Ritson's first international win.

He played again in the next game against Scotland. In that match, he scored his first points for England! England won and took home their first Championship title since 1892.

In 1911, Ritson also played for a famous touring team called Barbarian F.C.. He played two games for them. He also played for his county team, Northumberland.

England's First Grand Slam

Ritson was called back to the England squad for the 1912 Five Nations Championship. He played in one game, which England won. In 1913, Ritson played in all five of England's international matches.

The first game was against South Africa. Even though England started strong, South Africa won. Two weeks later, England began the 1913 Five Nations Championship with a win against Wales. Ritson then faced France for the third time in his career. England won easily, 20–0.

Two weeks after that, England played Ireland. England won 15–4, and Ritson scored his second international try! This win meant England could achieve their first-ever Grand Slam if they beat Scotland.

Ritson played in the game against Scotland, which was his last international match. The game was very tough, with strong defense from both teams. England scored just one try and won the game. This victory made John Ritson a member of the first English Grand Slam team! He ended his international career having played nine games for England. He never lost a Five Nations Championship match!

International Games Played

British Isles

•  New Zealand 1908

England

•  France 1910, 1912, 1913
•  Ireland 1913
•  Scotland 1910, 1913
•  South Africa 1913
•  Wales 1913

John Ritson's Military Service

During World War I, John Ritson was a captain in the Durham Light Infantry. In 1916, he received an award called the Military Cross for his bravery. The next year, he was given another important award, the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).

On April 15, 1917, he took command of the 12th Battalion of the Royal Scots. He led this battalion until July 15, 1918. Ritson later received a Bar to his DSO, meaning he earned the award a second time. He was also mentioned in official reports four times for his excellent service during the war.

In September 1917, Ritson led his battalion in a battle at Zonnenbeke. His mission was to clear out enemy strongpoints, including fortified farmhouses. During this fight, one of his company commanders, Captain Henry Reynolds, earned the Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery.

Written Works

John Ritson also wrote books about mining:

• Modern Machine Mining in Great Britain (1938)
• Mine Supports During War Time (1940) with A. M. Bryan and M. A. Hogan