About Douglas Ritchie
Lived 1905 – 1967 (aged 61–62). Douglas Ritchie was a British journalist.
Douglas Ernest Ritchie (1905–1967) was a British news editor at the BBC.
World War II Ritchie, at the time an assistant news editor, broadcast to German-occupied countries during the war of the world war of world 2. He adopted the moniker "Colonel Britton", and his identity was a closely guarded secret until after the war.
He was in charge of the BBC's wartime "V for Victory" campaign.
He created the "Continental V Army".
By the time of the disclosure of his identity in 1945 he was director of the European news department of the BBC.
Post war After the end of the war Ritchie rose to the position of head of publicity at the BBC. At the age of 50 he suffered a stroke.
His book Stroke: A Diary Of Recovery was hailed by John O'Londons as "A triumph of the highest order".
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Important facts
People in Douglas Ritchie's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Douglas Ritchie?
British journalist
When was Douglas Ritchie born?
Douglas Ritchie was born in 1905.
When did Douglas Ritchie die?
Douglas Ritchie died in 1967.
What was Douglas Ritchie's occupation?
Douglas Ritchie was a journalist.
What nationality was Douglas Ritchie?
Douglas Ritchie was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Douglas Ritchie. https://biography.guide/douglas-ritchie/
MLA: "Douglas Ritchie." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/douglas-ritchie/.
Chicago: "Douglas Ritchie." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/douglas-ritchie/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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