Ralph enlisted on 27th January 1913. He was 22 years old, and was an Insurance Agent by trade. He entered the war in France on 14th August 1914, as part of the Regimental Medical Officer's team for the 1st Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment. On 24th August 1914 he was taken captive at Les Frameries, Mons. From there he was taken to the German prisoner of war camp Lubeck on 18th September 1914, then on 28th October 1914 he was transferred to the prisoner of war camp Gustrow. He was repatriated on 30th June 1915, remaining in the UK until 21st July 1915 when he was transferred to serve with the E.E.F. On 26th February 1916 he joined the 3rd Echelon for duty in Alexandria, serving as a Clerk. He was admitted 'sick' into No 17 General Hospital on 9th August 1916, then he was evacuated back to the UK, starting his journey on 9th September 1916. He served the remainder of the war in the UK, being discharged for service on 17th July 1919. He was the son of Thomas and Lettia Thornton of Portadown, Ireland.