Trafford

Born on the 12th October 1880, the birth being registered during the during
the December quarter 1880 in the West Derby R.D. - ref: 8b/491, the third
son of John & Julia Ripley Richardson (nee 

1891 Census - 4 St. John's Avenue, Rusholme, Manchester.    Son - aged: 10
- born Liverpool.  Head of household - John Richardson - Married - aged: 39
- occ: Commercial Traveller - Confectionery - born: Liverpool.   Also -
Julia Richardson - Wife - aged: 34 - born: Peel, Isle of Man.  Plus 3
younger siblings including his brother Sydney C. Richardson who was also
killed during WW1.

1901 Census - No Trace - probably in South Africa.

WO363 - First enlisted into the Manchester Rgt at Ashton under Lyne on the
17th June 1899, becoming a professional soldier.   At the time of his
enlistment he was aged: 18 years, 7 months, born: Walton, Liverpool and
employed as a Clerk.  He was 5 feet 6 3/8 inches in height and weighed 125
lb.  His complexion was - Fair, his eyes: Greenish grey and had Brown hair.
 Chest expansion was 32 1/2 to 34 inches. serving in the 2nd Anglo-Boer
War, steadily rising through the ranks: Lance-Corporal in October 1899,
Corporal in 1900 and Sergeant in 1901.   While a Corporal, he was awarded
the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) awarded for extreme valor.    For his
actions under fire that resulted in his being mentioned in dispatches on
the 28th November 1900.   In October of 1909, he was promoted to Colour
Sergeant.

Married Margaret Beatrice Hough at St. Agnes P.C. Birch in Rusholme,
Manchester on the 25th April 1910.   J.C.R - aged: 29 - occ: Soldier -
residing: The Barracks, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland.  Father: John
Richardson - Book Keeper.   M.B.H. - aged: 30 - residing 48 Clitheroe Road,
Longsight, Manchester.  Father: John Thomas Hough - Lithographic Artist.

1911 Census - No Trace.   Serving in Ireland perhaps ???

Employed by Messrs Parkinson, Slack & Needham, Solicitors, Manchester.

WW1 - It is not known if John had left the Army and was then recalled in
1914, or whether he had unbroken service from 1899, probably the former if
he had been employed at a solicitors ???     Promoted from Colour Sergeant
to Second Lieutenant and Gazetted on the 19th November 1914.  Seconded to
the 1st Gold Coast Rgt, West African Field Force and conducted operations
against the Germans in Togo and Cameroon.   He was promoted to Lieutenant
in April of 1915, and remained in Africa until December, 1917, before being
transferred to France.    He was promoted to Captain on the 9th February
1918.

Member of St. Peter's Church, Hale, where for 7 years he had been a teacher
at their Sunday School.    He was also the secretary of their Recreation
Club and was a playing member of their Dramatics Society.

MIC - attached to the West Africa Rgt.  Posted to West Africa 5b - (South
West Arabia) on the 5th August 1914.   Address listed - Miss M.E. Hough, 48
Clitheroe Road, Longsight, Manchester.

His wife - Margaret Beatrice Richardson died in 1914

Death reported in the 19/04/1918 edition of the Altrincham Guardian. 
Report  states that he enlisted in October 1915 and was posted to Egypt in
1916.    In the spring of 1917 he was transferred "to another front".

Commemorated on the private family gravestone in Hale Cemetery.

M.I. - "Rest in Peace".

CWGC - Son of John & Julia Ripley Richardson of 27 Avon Road, Hale.

His father, John died 06/03/1914 aged 64 years and his mother, Julia Riply
died 03/11/1936 aged 80 years.   His wife, Elsie died 05/11/1918 aged 34
years.

John's MkV1.,  0.455 calibre, 6 barrel Webley revolver was sold some time
back on a Canadian website.  Described as:

Serial No. 311352.  Dated 1917, it has double military arrows on the left
side of the barrel and  the owners name engraved along the backstrap: CAPT.
J.C. RICHARDSON. MANC. REG.