Arnold Ridley Quotes

“I always remember my disappointment the next morning when I found that my hand was still on because I thought, well, if I lost my hand I'm all right, I shall live, they can't send me out without a hand again. I was 20 then, it's not altogether a right thought for a young man to hope that he's been maimed for life.”

Arnold Ridley

After suffering severe wounds at the Battle of the Somme
Biography on Spartacus

“Yes, sir. My battalion is famous for self-inflicted wounds and just to make sure I cracked my skull with a rifle butt as well and ran a bayonet into my groin.”

Arnold Ridley

On being asked by a doctor if the damage to his hand was self-inflicted.
Biography on Spartacus

“I didn't go to France to murder people.”

Arnold Ridley

Biography on Spartacus

“It wasn't a question of if I get killed, it was merely a question of when I get killed.”

Arnold Ridley

Biography on Spartacus

“I thought I was doing my duty for my country. I didn't know I was going to be treated like a convict. Did it make better soldiers of the callow youths we were then? I doubt it.”

Arnold Ridley

On his service during World War I
Biography on Spartacus