On 21 July, the squadron, operating via North Weald, were tasked with escorting three Stirling bombers when they were attacked by about five Me.109s. Flight Lieutenant Ritchie, as Yellow Leader, was last seen diving over Lille in his Spitfire Mk.IIa P8478. It was later confirmed he had been shot down and killed.
Ritchie was buried by the Germans with full military honours, in the Reninghelst churchyard extension, Belgium.
