Ritchie was born in Melbourne on 16 January 1949 to Angus Lachlan Ritchie and Colleen Burnice Ritchie.[1]
Naval career
Ritchie graduated from the RAN College at Jervis Bay in 1968. He received further training at sea and in the United Kingdom before undertaking a succession of seagoing appointments and a staff appointment at the NATO School of Maritime Operations at HMS DRYAD. His commands have included HMAS Tarakan, HMAS Torrens, and HMAS Brisbane.
As a consequence of his service in these appointments, and in addition to receiving the Centenary medal,[3] he was promoted to Officer of the Order of Australia in January 2001.[4] He was promoted to vice admiral and appointed Commander Australian Theatre on 3 August 2001. He was the first Commander to have previously served as a Component Commander to the Headquarters. He assumed command of the Royal Australian Navy from Chief of Navy (CN) Vice Admiral David Shackleton on 3 July 2002 and retired in July 2005.[2]
^It's an HonourArchived 3 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine – Centenary Medal – 1 January 2001 Citation: For services to Australian society through the Royal Australian Navy.
^It's an HonourArchived 3 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine – Officer of the Order of Australia – 26 January 2001 Citation: For distinguished service to the Australian Defence Force and the Royal Australian Navy as the Maritime Commander Australia, Deputy Chief of Navy and Head Capability Systems.
