Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Ratcliffe a bricklayer, born 1856 in Syston, Leics., and his wife Annie Ratcliffe (nee Adcock), born 1856 in Syston, Leics. Richard Charles was born in 1893 in Syston, Leics., his siblings were, William, a bricklayer, born 1879, Samuel E., a bricklayer, born 1881, Emily, a winder, born 1883, Frederick, a shoe trade clicker, born 1885, Mary Jane, born 1888, Thomas, born 1890 and Joseph, born 1896, all his siblings were born in Syston, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at West Street, Syston, Leics. In April 1911 Charles was employed as a builder’s labourer and was residing in the family home at Sandford Road, Syston, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, William, Samuel, Emily, Mary, a hosiery Griswold worker, Thomas a builder and Joseph, a shoe trade finisher. On Friday July 20th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” - SYSTON. LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED.- Several local soldiers have recently lost their lives in action. Private R. C. Ratcliffe (24), Leicester Regiment, died on July 3rd from wounds. He lived in Sandford Road, Syston. The War Diary for today records. At 8.00am Battn on relief embussed at AIX NOULETTE and proceeded to billets at MONCHY-BRETTON and ORLENCOURT. C and D Coy’s at BRETTON, A and B Coy’s at ORLENCOURT with Bde HQ.