15 Facts About Richard Ruck

Richard Ruck was a keen amateur sportsman, who played football for the Royal Engineers, helping them to victory in the 1875 FA Cup Final.

Richard Ruck was educated privately, before joining the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.

At the Royal Military Academy, Richard Ruck gained a reputation as an athlete, playing both cricket and rugby football and being a keen gymnast.

Richard Ruck represented the Royal Engineers at billiards, cricket and golf.

Richard Ruck graduated from RMA Woolwich and joined the Royal Engineers as a lieutenant on 2 August 1871.

Richard Ruck was promoted to captain on 2 August 1883.

Between May and December 1885, Richard Ruck worked in the War Office, before being appointed Assistant Inspector of Submarine Mining Defences in January 1886, with the temporary rank of major in the Army.

Richard Ruck developed a keen interest in aeronautics and in 1905, he forecast that "in the early future the question of military supremacy would be decided by fighting in the air".

In 1911, Richard Ruck became a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and was the society's chairman from 1912 to 1919, after which he became a vice-president.

On 8 October 1878, Ruck married 45-year old Mary Constance Pedley nee Gully, the widow of Thomas H Pedley, at the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Marylebone.

Richard Ruck was the daughter of the late John Gully, a prize-fighter and politician.

Richard Ruck adopted the three children shortly after the death of his wife.

Richard Ruck died, aged 83, on 17 March 1935 at a nursing home in St John's Wood, London.

Richard Ruck's funeral was at Golders Green Crematorium on 21 March 1935.

Richard Ruck had a very strong character and a quiet efficiency which was very comforting to his subordinates.