Henry Charles Richardson E Surrey Reg

[Tess.lodge]

I am trying to research my great grandfather Henry Charles Richardson MM. I particularly want to check what he did to be awarded the Military Medal.I know the following: East Surrey Regiment12th Battalion. Service No. 9614. Died 3/08/1917.I have been looking at this for several months but now my son has chosen to do a school project on Henry as he is so proud of the connection and I really want to help him learn as much as possible. He has a deadline of two weeks.There appears to be another Henry Charles Richardson in the same regiment and I am getting thoroughly confused, so any help would be gratefully received.Thank you for reading this.

[Longboat]

Henry,

There is a battalion history available to buy although I do not know if it will give any details on your gt grandfather. My link Might not be enough for your 2 week deadline but I've been told it's a good read.

I have the battalion diaries for the 12th East Surrey's. I'll have a browse and see if anything pops up

Stuart

P.S Another link here about the book My link

[ss002d6252]

Name: Henry Charles Richardson

Birth Place: Shepherds Bush, Middlesex

Death Date: 3 Aug 1917

Death Location: France & Flanders

Enlistment Location: Shoreham, Sussex

Rank: L/Corporal

Regiment: East Surrey Regiment

Battalion: 12th Battalion

Number: 9614

Type of Casualty: Killed in action

Theatre of War: Western European Theatre

[kenf48]

Can't help with the MM suggest the local newspaper archive may have more information, either in an obituary or when the Medal was awarded. The citations have not survived, but you can search the London Gazette to find the date issued and the card is available at the National Archives

(it may even be mentioned in the diary - see below)

My guess it was earned on the Somme.

Henry Charles Richardson was born in Shepherds Bush, Middlesex and enlisted in Shoreham. He was killed in action while serving as a Lance Corporal with the 12th Bn of the East Surrey Regiment. (SDGW)

He went overseas after January 1916, and was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal as well as the MM shown on the CWGC entry

No other records of his service appear to have survived.

The War Diary for the 12th Bn is online and shows they joined the BEF on 2nd May 1916,landing at Le Havre. It is more than likely L/Cpl Richardson remained with them until he was killed.

http://qrrarchive.we...menu1.aspx?li=1

and follow the link

For his death you will need to study the period from 24th July to 7th August when the Bn came out of the line and reported 23 killed, 7 Died of Wounds, 115 wounded, 54 missing and 125 sick (the latter largely due to the constant rain and mud). As he has no known grave probably one of the missing.

Suggest your son could do a lot worse than study the information contained on the parent site and accessed by the link above at the top of the page.

The site also contains the ORBAT for the 41st Division and outlines the major engagements up to Third Ypres when your relative was killed.

Ken

[Tess.lodge]

Thank you so much for looking Stuart. I am new to this site and am amazed by people's generosity in giving up their time to help others.

Thanks again, I will keep my fingers crossed that you find something.

Henry.

Henry,

There is a battalion history available to buy although I do not know if it will give any details on your gt grandfather. My link Might not be enough for your 2 week deadline but I've been told it's a good read.

I have the battalion diaries for the 12th East Surrey's. I'll have a browse and see if anything pops up

Stuart

P.S Another link here about the book My link

Thank you for the information. It looks as though I am on the right track.

[little bob]

Henry

Notification of Henry's MM can be found in the Supplement to the London Gazette 18 July 1917. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial

Bob

[Longboat]

Henry,

If you take a look at the link that Ken posted and look at the dates of 8th June & 13th July 1917 there are two references to a Pte Richardson being awarded a Military Medal.

I see Bob has come up with the Gazette reference which shows his service number so it looks as if thats him.

Stuart

[kenf48]

At least he was able to celebrate his award and no doubt a memorable night with 'The Crumps'!

Ken

[Tess.lodge]

Thanks for this Bob, after much faffing around I have found this. It is a great addition for my son's project and a valuable piece of personal history for my family.

Henry

Henry

Notification of Henry's MM can be found in the Supplement to the London Gazette 18 July 1917. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial

Bob

[Tess.lodge]

Ken

You have given me so much information that I will have to read through this very slowly!

We are looking at the diary now and it is giving my son a real feel for things, which is so important.

We will continue looking at everything and let you know how it goes.

Thank you so much for helping.

Henry

Can't help with the MM suggest the local newspaper archive may have more information, either in an obituary or when the Medal was awarded. The citations have not survived, but you can search the London Gazette to find the date issued and the card is available at the National Archives

(it may even be mentioned in the diary - see below)

My guess it was earned on the Somme.

Henry Charles Richardson was born in Shepherds Bush, Middlesex and enlisted in Shoreham. He was killed in action while serving as a Lance Corporal with the 12th Bn of the East Surrey Regiment. (SDGW)

He went overseas after January 1916, and was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal as well as the MM shown on the CWGC entry

No other records of his service appear to have survived.

The War Diary for the 12th Bn is online and shows they joined the BEF on 2nd May 1916,landing at Le Havre. It is more than likely L/Cpl Richardson remained with them until he was killed.

http://qrrarchive.we...menu1.aspx?li=1

and follow the link

For his death you will need to study the period from 24th July to 7th August when the Bn came out of the line and reported 23 killed, 7 Died of Wounds, 115 wounded, 54 missing and 125 sick (the latter largely due to the constant rain and mud). As he has no known grave probably one of the missing.

Suggest your son could do a lot worse than study the information contained on the parent site and accessed by the link above at the top of the page.

The site also contains the ORBAT for the 41st Division and outlines the major engagements up to Third Ypres when your relative was killed.

Ken

[Tess.lodge]

I have so much information from you all and I cannot thank you enough.

This is something that will keep us going for much longer than my son's project.

I have come across another website that you probably know about but just in case there is someone who hasn't, I have pasted the link below:

www.archive.org/details/rollofhonourbiog01ruvi

It was a project that unfortunately ran out of money so only covers 10%. But if you are lucky you could find someone, with a picture and a few lines about them. I looked and found a Henry Charles Richardson but, as hard as i tried to make it fit, he was in the Navy, so it is not my Henry. It is a fascinating site to look at and I hope it is of help to someone.

Henry

[little bob]

Henry,

Don't know if you have this or not but it may be of interest.

1901 Census. 499 Becklow Road , Lycett Place , Hammersmith .

Robert Richardson. 1860 Painters Labourer

Rabecca Richardson 1861 Launderess

Lily M Richardson 1889

Henry C Richardson 1891

George F Richardson 1893

Alfred J Richardson 1896

Thomas J Richardson 1898

Don't know why but I can't find them in the 1911 Census.

Bob

[Jim_Grundy]

The Gazette date - July 1917 - suggests that he won the MM during the Battle of Arras. Typically (but certainly not always), the award appeared around three months after the date of the action so April 1917 is a strong possibility. That might help narrow down your search a little.

[high wood]

The Military Medal was awarded for his part in a trench raid:

The incessant bombardment of the enemy's lines continued with great effect on June 1st. The enemy's wire in front of the battalion was practically gone, and his front trenches were reported to be much damaged. At 9.45pm on the 2nd a party of the battalion, numbering 3 officers and 68 other ranks, under Captain W. Hagen, carried out a most successful raid. The raid was planned by Major Knapp, who received much credit for the careful and thorough preparation of the operation. At the cost of five men slightly wounded, Captain Hagen's party captured seven prisoners of the 44th Regiment, East Prussian Division, one machine gun, one telephone and several rifles. The other officers with the raiding party were 2nd Lieuts. A.G. Howitt and H.S. Todd. For services on this occasion 2nd Lieut A.G. Howitt was awarded the Military Cross, and the Military Medal was granted to Sergts. D.S. Maddison and R.W. Mayston, Cpl. M. Coghlan and Pte. H.C. Richardson.

History of the East Surrey Regiment. Vol III 1917-1919. Chapter VIII page 85.

[high wood]

Supplement to the London Gazette 26th July 1917. Page 7631. Awarded the Military Cross.

2nd Lieutenant Adam Gordon Howitt. East Surrey Regiment.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading a raid upon enemy trenches. The success of the raid was due to his good leadership and cool judgement. He personally reconnoitered No Man's Land afterwards to make sure that everyone had returned to our lines.

[Tess.lodge]

Thanks for this Bob, it's really useful. Unfortunately it confirms my suspicions that there are no secret fortunes hidden in my past but I find it fascinating to learn about my own family's lives.

Thanks again

Henry

1322320130[/url]' post='1674035']

Henry,

Don't know if you have this or not but it may be of interest.

1901 Census. 499 Becklow Road , Lycett Place , Hammersmith .

Robert Richardson. 1860 Painters Labourer

Rabecca Richardson 1861 Launderess

Lily M Richardson 1889

Henry C Richardson 1891

George F Richardson 1893

Alfred J Richardson 1896

Thomas J Richardson 1898

Don't know why but I can't find them in the 1911 Census.

Bob

[Tess.lodge]

Thanks for that, I will look up this battle.

1322321222[/url]' post='1674042']

The Gazette date - July 1917 - suggests that he won the MM during the Battle of Arras. Typically (but certainly not always), the award appeared around three months after the date of the action so April 1917 is a strong possibility. That might help narrow down your search a little.

[Tess.lodge]

Thanks for these two posts and your time looking up the information. It is nice to know there is recognition in a book and very interesting to learn about others involved.

I know there are many stories of bravery but it is good to feel personal connection and it is helping my son a great deal, so thank you again.

1322604070[/url]' post='1675368']

Supplement to the London Gazette 26th July 1917. Page 7631. Awarded the Military Cross.

2nd Lieutenant Adam Gordon Howitt. East Surrey Regiment.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading a raid upon enemy trenches. The success of the raid was due to his good leadership and cool judgement. He personally reconnoitered No Man's Land afterwards to make sure that everyone had returned to our lines.