William Richardson

William Richardson was born in 1892 at Dewsbury, Yorkshire. He was the son of John and Ann Richardson (née Callaghan) of 26 Balderton Gate, Newark. His father was born in 1860 at Leeds and his mother Ann Callaghan was born in 1862 at Liverpool. They were married on 10th August 1884 at St Marks church, Dewsbury and went on to have four children, sadly two died in infancy or early childhood. Their other surviving child, a daughter Amy, was born in 1901 at Newark. In the 1911 census the family were living at 33 Wood Street, Newark, and are shown as John 51 yrs a hardware van man, his wife Ann 49 yrs and their children, William 19yrs an iron moulder and Amy 10 yrs a scholar.

Attended Christ Church School. Sunday School teacher, Lombard Street Congregational Church. Employed at Mr. E. Castle’s coachbuilding works (now Messrs. Mather & Co.), Castlegate and later was employed as an iron moulder at a foundry owned by George Walker.

26 Balderton Gate, Newark

Private William Richardson enlisted on 14th September 1914 at Newark. He gave his age as 23 yrs, address as 26 Balderton Gate, Newark, His next of kin was his father John of the same address. William had previously served in the Territorial Force with the 8th battalion Sherwood Foresters. Posted to his old battalion, he landed in France on 2nd March 1915. The 1/8th battalion was in the area of Kemmel in 1915 and early in June 'took over more of the J and K trenches, with the reserve company at Siege Farm and Battalion Headquarters at Rossignol Farm.' ('History of the 1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters 1914-1919', Capt. WCC Weetman) On 15 June 1915 the enemy, whose trenches were within 60-70 yards of the battalion's front line, exploded three mines, one of which blew up a portion of J3 Right trench, killing at least two men. Some enemy soldiers got into the mine crater but were repelled by 'C' Company. The battalion's casualties that day included two officers, a corporal and eight men killed. William was killed in the above action on 15th June 1915 and was buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Heuvelland, Belgium (grave ref. D.68).

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'