After playing the cornet, piano and organ in the Royal Irish Regiment and serving in India, Ricketts became a student bandmaster at the Royal Military School of Music. He became the bandmaster for the Argyll And Sutherland Highlanders in 1908. He also served as director of music for the Royal Marines. Ricketts composed under his mother's maiden name, Alford, and is remembered as one of the finest composers of military marches. He was a master in instrumentation and possessed a clear melodic sense. His marches often contain inventive counter melodies, and Ricketts' abilities are considered to be the rival of that of Sousa. "Colonel Bogey" is his best known work. ~ Lynn Vought, All Music Guide