CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'He died for freedom'
1/8th Bn casualties, 15 June 1915: Lieutenant AFO Dobson (grave ref. D.64), Lieutenant WH Hollins (D.70), Corporal F Wilcox (D.71), Privates AE Armitage (D.65), B Cox (D.67), FW Hill (D.66), P May (D.72), RW Moakes (D.69) and W Richardson (D.68) buried Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery and Privates OL Bryan and A Cook commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Mansfield Reporter, 25 June 1915: ‘The 8th Sherwoods Badly Damaged. This interesting letter has been received by Mrs Wilson, wife of Ald. JL Wilson, from her son who is at the front. In the letter, which refers to the death of Lance Corporal Charlie Wilson, he adds that he attended Charlie’s burial ‘in a special ground we have in a village, just behind our lines’ [Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery] Just as we were waiting for the chaplain (about 9.15pm) there came from the trenches a terrific report, followed by two others almost instantly. At the same time the sky was lighted up by [a] tremendous flash, followed by a continuous roar of rifle fire and artillery. Of course, we knew immediately that it was a mine blown up, and that it must have been a German one, too. I cannot describe to you what it was like, but for at least an hour the roar was simply deafening.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Article published in the Newark Herald on 26th June 1915 :-
Only son of John & Ann Richardson, 26 Baldertongate, Newark. A native of Dewsbury, but his parents removed to Newark when he was nine years old. Attended Christ Church School, afterwards working at Mr. E. Castle’s coachbuilding works (now Messrs. Mather & Co.), Castlegate. Prior to going with the troops he was employed at Mr. George Walker’s foundry. He had been in the Territorials and resigned, but after the outbreak of hostilities, he rejoined. Also a teacher at Lombard Street Congregational Sunday School. Killed when an attack was being made by the Germans on our trenches. A mine was exploded in the night and he either then, or afterwards, perished'