Career
He played six matches for the All Blacks including three internationals. Ridland was born in Invercargill in 1882 to William and Margaret Ridland, both of whom were originally from the Shetland Islands. Ridland enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in October 1917 and embarked for Britain in May 1918.
He was posted to France in September 1918 and served as a rifleman with the 1st Battalion, 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade.
He died in France on 5 November 1918 as the result of gunshot wound to the head He was buried at the Caudry British Cemetery.