No.47531, Private, Thomas William RICHARDSON
Aged 19
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Thomas William RICHARDSON was born at 6 Chauntry Row, Haverhill on 20th July 1898(Risbridge Q3-1898 4A:778), baptised in St.Mary's, Haverhill on
7th August 1898, son of Thomas William and Eiza RICHARDSON (née WALLACE)
1901 census...Aged 2, he was at 6 Chauntry Row, Haverhill with his father Thomas RICHARDSON [23] farmer's son; his mother Eliza [27] and sister Ethel [1]. All were born in Haverhill. 1911 census...Aged 12, he was still at 6 Chauntry Row with his parents (father now a carter); sisters Gladys[10], Mabel [8], Dorothy [5], Freda [2] and Ruby [under one month]; brother Cyril [7]. The new siblings all born in Haverhill. All 8 sibling survive. Sister Ethel was visiting the BURCH family at 21 George Street, Chelmsford. Later his parents moved to 1 Orchard Street, Chelmsford. |
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He enlisted in Sudbury. The battalion were holding Melbourne Trench (BHQ), Carey Trench and Swan Trench. The battalion war diary has:- "2/6/18 - Day quiet. Weather right. Work on trenches, widening and deepening.Night working parties strengthened wire." CWGC give just Thomas and one other killed. His original grave, identified by a cross, was found at 57d.X.20.d and he was re-interred in Ovillers in 1920. |
photo: Rodney Gibson
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