Background
Riddiford was born in Featherston in 1914 a grandson of "King" Riddiford and Sydney Johnston of Oruawharo.
Riddiford was born in Featherston in 1914 a grandson of "King" Riddiford and Sydney Johnston of Oruawharo.
He was educated in the United Kingdom at Downside School, Somerset, and New College, Oxford. He gained an Master of Arts in Modern Greats from Oxford, and also an Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Zealand.
From 1932 to 1937, he farmed in the Wairarapa on family-owned land. He joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in 1939 and was an officer with the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery. He was a prisoner of war in Italy from 1941 until his escape in 1943.
He was awarded the Military Cross in World World War World War II From 1946, he had a law practice in Wellington.
Riddiford contested the Petone electorate in the 1957 election, but was beaten by the incumbent, Labour"s Michael Moohan. In the 1960 election, he stood in the Wellington Central electorate and defeated the incumbent, Labour"s Frank Kitts.
Riddiford remained in Parliament until 1972, when he retired. Under Keith Holyoake, he was Minister of Justice (1969–1972) and Attorney-General (1971–1972).
Foreign a number of years Riddiford was also a director of The Dominion newspaper (now The Dominion Post).