Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
1885 - 1916

CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916

Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916

Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916

Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918

Pte 24603 Robert Richardson

Age: 28
From: Liverpool
Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
K.I.A Monday 9th April 1917
Commemorated at: Neuville-vitasse Rd Cem
Panel Ref: A.20

Robert Richardson was born 16th March 1889 at Liverpool and was baptised on 06th May 1889 at St Peter’s C. of E. Church, Liverpool. He was the son of George Richardson and his wife Mary Ann (née Carter).

His mother Mary Ann originally married George's brother David Richardson on the 12th July 1873 at St Nicholas, Liverpool, and had children William J., Abraham, Annie, David, George H., and Margaret before her husband died in 1880 aged 28.

His father George originally married Hannah Jones on the 25th October 1874 at St Nicholas, Liverpool, and had children Catherine M., Ann, and Margaret M.

On the marriage banns both David and George declare their father William of Blandford Street. After David's death George and Mary lived together and started a new family.

The 1891 Census shows the family living at 70 Ashfield Cottages, Ashfield Street, Liverpool. All members of the family were born in Liverpool. His father, George, is aged 37 a carter, his mother Mary Ann is 39, children(by David) Abraham 14 a scholar, Annie 13 a scholar, David 12 a scholar, George 11 a scholar, Margaret 10 a scholar, children by (George) Edith 3, and Robert 2.

The 1901 Census shows the family have moved to 34 Lemon Street, Kirkdale. His father, George is aged 47 a railway carter, mother Mary Ann is 50, children Edith 13, Robert 12, William 9, and Daniel 7. They also have two boarders living at the address.

His mother, Mary Ann, died shortly after the Census in the March quarter of 1901.

The 1911 Census shows Robert living at 23 Cockerell Street, Walton. Liverpool. Robert is the head of the household aged 21, born 1890 and gives his occupation as pawnbroker’s assistant who was born in Liverpool. He is living with his two brothers William aged 19, born 1892 a carter in the railway, Daniel aged 17, born 1894 a crane driver for Cheshire Lines and his married sister Edith Baines aged 23, born 1888 and her husband Robert aged 24, born 1887 a carter.

The 1911 Census also shows his father, George, is living with his married daughter Margaret Quayle at 42 Teulon Street, Kirkdale. George Richardson is aged 57 a carter for railway company. He is now with his original wife Hannah aged 58. They advise that they have been married for 36 years and have had 5 children, 3 of whom have survived.

Robert married Sarah Humphreys on the 09^th May 1915 at St Mary's Church, Kirkdale, their address 109 Cockerell Street, Walton. A son Robert William was born 17^th February 1916. Sarah was born in Liverpool and was the daughter of William aged 49, born 1862 in Deptford and Isabella aged 52, born 1859 in Glasgow. In 1911 the family were living at 103 Cockerell Street, and Sarah aged 19 was working in a tobacco factory.

Prior to the outbreak of war Robert had been employed by Murphy’s Pawnbrokers.

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 24603 when he was killed in action on the 09th April 1917, aged 28, during the Battle of Arras.

Arras 09^th April 1917

Details of the circumstances the 18^th Battalion had to contend with are illustrated below:

The battalion formed the left assaulting battalion of the brigade, the 2^nd Wiltshire Regiment being on the right, the 19^th Manchester Regiment being in support and 2^nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment furnishing “moppers -up” for the two assaulting battalions. The brigade advance was timed to begin at ---- hour after “Zero”, suited to conform with the movements of 56^th Division and other divisions on our left further north (near Arras). This battalion’s objective was the front-line system Lion Lane on the left (exclusive) to Panther Lane on right (exclusive). This sector included the strongpoint known as “The Egg”.

The brigade advanced at prearranged time, i.e., 11.38 a.m, from position of assembly trenches south of Neuville Vitasse to German front line. This necessitated an advance across the open of at least 2,000 yards. This area up to Neuville Vitasse- Henin road was crossed in artillery formation; after this, owing to machine-gun fire and considerable resistance from German posts forward in the sunken roads, it was found necessary to deploy. During the whole movement across the open the advancing columns had been under considerable artillery fire from guns of all calibres. On gaining the position immediately in front of German line it was found that the wire was practically uncut; this wire formed two strong belts in front of German trenches. Two small gaps were eventually discovered and Second-Lieut H.F.Merry gallantly led a bombing party through them, but his three remaining men were killed as they reached the German trenches.

From the moment the battalion was “held up” in front of German wire Capt. R. W. Jones, the senior company commander on the spot, at once began the work of consolidating in front of German wire. The battalion held on in this position for the remainder of the day, until relieved by the 16^th Manchester Regiment about 3 a.m. on the 10^th of April, all the time under intense machine-gun and rifle fire.

Between 9th-10th April, 1917, the 18th King's lost 2 officers 2nd Lt. F. Ashcroft and 2nd Lt. H.G. Ewing and 59 other ranks killed. 8 other officers were wounded.

Robert now rests at Neuville-Vitasse Road Cemetery, France, where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE MEET AGAIN"

The village of Neuville-Vitasse was captured by the 56th (London) Division on 9 April 1917, almost entirely lost at the end of March 1918, and cleared at the end of the following August. The cemetery was made by units of the 33rd Division after the first capture of the village, and two other burials were added in June 1917. Neuville-Vitasse Road Cemetery now contains 86 First World War burials, 11 of them unidentified. The cemetery was designed by G H Goldsmith.

He was reported killed in the Liverpool Daily Post on 21st May 1917:

KILLED

King's Liverpools - Richardson, 24603, R;

He was also reported killed in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 26 May 1917:

FALLEN HEROES.

Pte Robt. Richardson, killed in action on April 9th, had been in France 18 months. Before joining up he was employed by Murphy's Pawn Brokers and resided at 109 Cockcroft Street, Walton. He leaves a widow and baby.

He earned his three medals.

His wife Sarah received his Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £3 16s 5d, War Gratuity of £10, and was awarded a pension of 18/9 with effect from 05th November 1917.

Robert is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance inside Liverpool Town Hall on Panel 43.

His brother, Daniel, also served, enlisting on 16th November 1915 as Private 32734 of the 22nd Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment before transferring on the 09th March 1916 to the Machine Gun Corps as Private 27044. He gave his next of kin at 23 Cockerell Street.

His father died in 1918, aged 64, and was buried on the 20th June 1918 at Anfield Cemetery, his address 42 Teulon Street, Kirkdale.

His widow Sarah remarried in 1932 to William E. Ord and they had a daughter Ethel the next year. They all appear on the 1939 register at 109 Cockerell Street. William Edward Ord date of birth 29th May 1880, Sarah Ord date of birth 09th August 1892, daughter Ethel Ord date of birth 04th March 1933, with son Robert William Richardson date of birth 07th February 1916, a printers compositor, who was later a POW in WW2.

Liverpool Evening Express 10th Sept 1940

Private Robert William Richardson, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, 109, Cockerell-street, Kirkdale, Liverpool, previously reported missing, is a prisoner of war in Germany. His father was killed while serving with the Liverpool Pals in the last war. [He was captured on the 12th June 1940 at St. Valery-En-Caux, France].

Name	Robert William Richardson
Rank	Private
Birth Date	17 Feb 1916
Enlistment Date	13 Oct 1939
Capture Date	12 Jun 1940
Capture Place	St. Valery. En. Caux. France

Robert's widow, Sarah, died, aged 82, in the June quarter of 1975.

We currently have no further information on Robert Richardson, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

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A total of 14 Pals were killed on this day. View All