Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Roclincourt Military Cemetery | IV. B. 21. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.133 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 56B GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Family :
Son of T. N. Richards, of Chester.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 230th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery |
| Action : The First Battles of the Somme 1918 and associated actions |
21 March - 4 July 1918. The Battles of the Somme in 1918 were mostly concerned with stemming the German advance which started in March 1918 and which made considerable gains in the Somme/Arras sector. Utilising surplus troops which had become available following the surrender of Russia after the October Revolution, the Germans gambled on a massive campaign that could win the war in the west before the USA could bring its resources to bear. Initial gains were in places spectacular but eventually dogged resistance coupled with supply problems and sheer exhaustion closed down the battle. Other attacks were launched along the front to probe the Allied defences but the same pattern of initial gains followed by stalemate prevailed. British casualties were almost 345,000.
Detail :
150771 Gunner 230th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Enlisted Chester.
The notice of his death appeared in the Nantwich Guardian 26th April, 1918 : "GUNNER J.N.RICHARDS. Gunner James Newman Richards R.F.A., younger son of Councillor T.N. Richards, Curzon Park, Chester, was killed in action on the 28th of March. He was 28 years of age, and was an esteemed member of the "Deva" Lodge of Freemasons, and also of the "Grosvenor" Chapter, Royal Arch. He joined the Forces in 1915."
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Deva No. 3447 E.C. | Cheshire |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
2nd April 1913 | 1st October 1913 | 5th November 1913 |
Listed as a Painter and Decorator, resident in Chester at the time of initiation in 1913. The contribution record shows that he was "Killed in Action 14.4.18," which is slightly out from the official record.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley