Prior to the start of the Second World War Lieutenant Colonel WRP Ridgeway OBE TD served in the Territorial Force and had earned his first Efficiency Decoration recording 20 years-service by 1942, adding a second for further service in 1951.

His medals are, left to right; OBE, 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, Efficiency Decoration (King George V), Efficiency Decoration (King George VI) and the Officer de Instruction Publique, an award within the French Order of the Academic Palms, awarded for services to Academies or Universities.