Major Paul Richards MC & Bar 61st Coy, MGC

[gdboulton]

Does anyone have any additional information on Major Paul Richards MC & Bar who was killed 3rd Oct 1918.

He served in the 61st Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)

I have the CWGC details, which are surprisingly informative, but does anyone have anything to add?

[yellow]

2nd Lt. Paul Richards, Inf., attd. M.G.

Corps.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to

duty. Throughout the night he remained

with his two guns, although severely

wounded, supervising two Lewis guns, which

resulted in breaking up the enemy's advance.

He displayed great courage, and inspired his

men with complete confidence at a trying

period.(M.C. gazetted 16th August, 1917.)

T./Lt. Paul Richards, M.C., M".G. Corps.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to

duty. When three out of four of his guns

in a redoubt had been put out of action by

bombs or shell fire, he kept the fourth in

action for ten hours, disposing of large

bodies of the enemy, and finally covered the

withdrawal of the infantry with this gun.

After his gun was eventually put out of

action he took command of two infantry

platoons, who were without officers, and continued

to delay the enemy's advance. He

displayed fine courage and leadership.

(M.C. gazetted 23rd July, 1918.)

1914-15 Star, Military Cross on which is inscribed "Paul Richards, 2/Lt. Machine Gun Corps, Bullecourt, May 12, 16th, 1917. He also received a Second Award Bar on which is engraved: "N.W. St. Quentin, March 21st, 1918."

Eldest son of Charles Edward and Jane Lee Richards, of Ottawa, Ontario, formerly of Charlton Musgrove, Somerset, England. Husband of Enid M.R. Richards, of Parksville, British Columbia. Educated at Bath College, Somerset.

There is a also a book with information on all MC and Bar winners, you might also try that for additional information.

That is all I can 'add'.

[gdboulton]

Thanks Yellow, just what I was looking for.

[sotonmate]

GDB

There is probably an Officer's Service File at Kew under WO339. There are 8 hits though. As there is no second initial quoted on the CWGC site nor in your thread,or the gallantry award entries provided by Yellow,I guess we need to look for a single initial P. There are four marked thus RICHARDS P (showing no rank),they are WO339/84167 : 90433 : 126543: and 130799.

Others (just in case) are WO339/35964 RICHARDS P C 2/Lt (end date 1919): three more but with end dates 1916 for initials PEM,PM and PAW .

Good hunting !

Sotonmate