Trafford

Born during the September quarter 1883 in the Salford R.D. - ref: 8d/38,
the son of Edward & Sarah Mercer Rickards (nee Cooper).

1891 Census - 25 Henry Street, Withington, Manchester.   Son - aged: 7 -
Scholar - born: Swinton, Lancashire.    Head of household - Edward Rickards
- Married - aged: 37 - occ: Gardener - born: Shropshire.    Also - Sarah M.
Rickards - Wife - aged: 32 - born: Didsbury, Manchester.   Plus 1 younger
sister -  Ethel M. Rickards - aged: 3 - born: Withington.    Family
recorded as "Richards".

1901 Census - 19 Hawthorne Road, Heaton Morris.    Son - aged: 16 - occ:
Draper's Apprentice - born: Swinton, Lancashire.   Head of household -
Edward Rickards - Married - aged: 41- occ: Gardener (Domestic) - born:
Shropshire.    Also - Sarah M. Rickards - Wife - aged: 36 - born: Didsbury,
Manchester.   Plus 1 younger sister -  Ethel M. Rickards - aged: 13 - born:
Withington.   Family recorded as "Rickard" (no 's').

Married Margaret Susan Jones during the June quarter 1908 in the Chorlton
R.D. - ref: 8c/1406.

1911 Census - 38 Wharf Road, Altrincham.   Head of household - Married -
aged: 26 - occ: Clerk - born: Irlam O' the Heights, Lancashire.    Also -
Margaret Susan Rickards - Wife - aged: 25 - born: Didsbury, Manchester.  
Plus their son - Oliver Edward Rickards - aged: 2 - born: Sale.

Another child - Ethel Maud Rickards was born in 1912.

By 1914 Oliver was residing at 22 Oldfield Road, Altrincham.  He was
employed at Linotype Ltd., Broadheath.

WO363 - Enlisted for 4 years in the Territorial Force at Manchester on the
27th October 1914.   Aged: 29 years, 2 months.   He served only at Home in
the UK.    He was 5 feet, 8 inches in  height and weighed 112 lb.    Had a
Sallow complexion, Light hair and employed as a Clerk, residing at 22
Oakfield Street, Altrincham.

Admitted into the 2/2nd East Lancs Field Ambulance on the 13th December
1915, suffering from Rheumatism and Mitral Stenosis (narrowing of the
mitral valve opening). Transferred the same day to the 2nd Eastern General
Hospital on the 14th.  Discharged on the 6th April 1916.

Discharged at Colchester, Essex with Valvular heart disease on the 24th
April 1916.   His Character reference stated - "Throughout his term of
service, this soldier has always been of good character.   He is thoroughly
reliable in every way, being honest, temperate and industrious".     Issued
with a Sliver War Badge on the 21st November 1916 - No. 65839.

Medical & Pension Records - Examined on the 15th March 1916.   Suffering
from Mitral Stenosis first diagnosed in May 1915 at Crowborough. 
Discharged on the 24th April 1916, aged: 30 - Died of Pneumonnia, Influenza
and Cardiac Failure on the 22nd November 1918 - Widow: Margaret S.
Rickards, 25 Oakfield Street, Altrincham - DoB: 24th May 1884.   Two
children listed - Oliver Edward b. 16/07/1908 and Ethel Maud b: 02/01/1912.
 Awarded a pension of 25/5d w.e.f. the 27th November 1918.

His death was registered during the December quarter 1918 in the Bucklow
R.D. - ref: 8a/404 - aged: 34.  He was buried on the 28th November 1918. 
His death certificate states that he died on the 22nd Nvember 1918 and was
registered by his widow the following day.  He was recorded as being
employed as an Engineer's Clerk (ex-private 7th Bn Manchester Rgt),
residing at 22 Oakfield Road, Altrincha and was 34 yrears of age.   Cause
of death was:- (1) Pneumonia. and (2) Influenza and Cardiac Failure (no
Post Mortem).  His widow was present at his death.

His widow married Thomas J. Chadwick in 1920.   In 1939, Thomas & Margaret
were residing at 95 Oakfield Street, Altrincham with their son - Kenneth H.
Chadwick, born: 1921.   [Nos. 83 to 91 Oakfield Road were destroyed in 1940
when a H.E. bomb landed on No. 89]