Pte 22820 Samuel Richardson

• Age: 19
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 22nd October 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Samuel Richardson was born in Liverpool on the 04^th June 1897 and was baptised on the 27^th April, 1898 at St Peter’s C. of E. Church, Liverpool. He was the son of Peter Richardson and his wife Louisa Ann (nee Higginson) who were married in 1882, the marriage was registered in West Derby. 

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 71 Chelsea Road, Litherland. Samuel is 3 years of age. His father Peter is head of the household, he is an insurance representative born in Tarporley in 1860, whilst his mother is shown as having been born in Nottingham in 1861. SIblings listed are; Mary E. E. born at Garston in 1884 and a match factory hand, Ethel D. also born at Garston in 1889. John E. aged 8 and Louisa aged 5 and were born in Liverpool.  

His father, Peter, died, aged 50, in January 1907 and was buried on the 31st January at Toxteth Cemetery.  

By the time of the 1911 Census the records show the family living at 66 Cavendish Road, Walton, Liverpool. His mother Louisa Ann is a widow aged 52, born in Nottingham in 1859 and is a general shop-keeper. She stated that she had been married for 25 years before her husband passed away. They had six children, of which one had died. Those living at the home address in 1911 are; Mary Eliza Emery is aged 27 born 1884, no occupation listed, Ethel Denton is aged 22, born 1889 and is assisting in the business, John Ewart aged 19, born 1892 is a Rubber Cutter, Louisa Ann aged 15, born 1896 is a domestic servant and Samuel aged 13, born 1898 is at school.

He enlisted on the 09th November 1914, in Liverpool, joining the 20th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 22820. He gave his age as 19 years and 5 months and his occupation was a dental mechanic. He was described as being five foot five inches tall, weighed 112 lbs, and 35” chest. He was of sallow complexion with blue eyes and brown/fair hair. He stated his religion as Church of England. His next of kin was his mother Louisa at 66 Cavendish Road. 

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 07^th November 1915.

Samuel was killed in action on the 22nd October 1916, aged 19, during the Battle of the Transloy Ridges which was part of the ongoing Somme Offensive.

20th Battalion War Diary 

GUEUDECOURT.

21.10.16 - Digging new trench. 

22.10.16 - Completed trench by 4 a.m., was labelled SALMON TRENCH and handed over on relief. 

2nd Lt Maddick was relieved in front line by 2nd Lt Worsley and evacuated sick. Heavy artillery very active, continuous barrage was put on our front line and support trenches. Considerable aircraft activity on both sides during the day. In accordance with 89th Inf. Bde. O.O. No. 62 the Battn. was relieved by the 29th Australian Infantry at 10 30 p.m. the Battalion moving to bivouacs near MAMETZ WOOD arriving about 4 30 a.m. and on 23rd. 

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. 

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

He was reported killed in the Liverpool Daily Post - Wednesday 29 November 1916: 

King’s (Liverpool Regiment) - Campbell, 25722, A.; Cowin, 36883, W. J. (Isle of Man); Crebbin, 38487, E.; (Isle of Man); Dutton, 22677, A. (Runcorn); Jones, 17197, Coy. Sergt.-Major T. L.; Leyland, 16381, Lce.-Cpl W.; Molyneux, 22782, Sgt. E.; Moulton, 22181, Coy. Sergt.-Major R. W.; Nickson, 23127, C. H. (Runcorn); Richardson, 22820, S.; Roberts, 22821, E. (Seacombe); Shimmin, 36885, J. A. C. (Isle of Man); Skelland, 18184, T,; Webber, 23856, S. J. (Bootle); Williams, 37905, W.; Woods, 32259, J.; 

He was remembered by his mother and sisters in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 27 October 1917:

RICHARDSON—In ever loving memory of my dear son, Private Samuel Richardson K.L.R., killed in action Oct. 22, 1916, aged 19 years. (Never forgotten by his loving mother and sisters, 66 Cavendish-road, Walton, also big brother Jack, in France. (Thy will, not mine, O Lord.) 

Do not ask us if we miss him, 

There is such a vacant place; 

Can we e’er forget his footsteps, 

Nor his dear, familiar face. 

RICHARDSON—In affectionate remembrance of my dear brother, Private S. Richardson, K L R., killed in action Oct. 22, 1916. (Fondly remembered by his loving sister Ethel and brother-in-law George (in France). 

His cheerful smile and happy face

Are pleasant to recall;

He had a kindly word for each,

And died beloved by all.  

He is also commemorated on the Northcote Road Council School, Walton War Memorial.

Samuel's was not the only loss that the family suffered as his elder brother John Ewart Richardson was also killed in action on the 29^th April 1918, during the German Spring Offensive, whilst serving with the 18^h Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment. He, like Samuel, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

John's death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on Friday 24 May 1918:

RICHARDSON—ApriI 29, killed action, in his 26th year, Private JOHN RICHARDSON (Jack), K.L.R., the dearly-beloved eldest son of Louisa Ann and the late Peter Richardson (the second son to make the supreme sacrifice). 

Thy purpose, Lord, we cannot see. 

But all is well that's done by Thee. 

—Deeply mourned by his Mother and Sisters, 66, Cavendish-road. Walton; also Brother-in-law George (in France).

Sam was again remembered by his family in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 26 October 1918:

In Memoriam.

RICHARDSON—In ever loving memory of my dear son, Private Samuel (Sam) Richardson, K.L.R. (late Pals), killed in action Oct. 22, 1916; also in loving birthday remembrance, Nov, 16th, of Jack, elder brother of above, killed in action April 29, 1918, (Ever remembered by mother and sisters, 66, Cavendish-road, Walton, also brother-in-law George, wounded, in hospital. 

There is a link death cannot sever, 

Love and remembrance live for ever. 

He was remembered in the Liverpool Evening Express 29th April 1919: 

RICHARDSON - In ever loving memory of my dear son's, Private John Richardson, K.L.R., late “Pals,” killed in action 29 April, 1918, aged 26 years, also Samuel, brother of the above, killed in action, 22 October, 1916. (Sadly missed by mother and sisters, 66 Cavendish Road, Walton. Duty nobly done.) 

Samuel earned his three medals.

Soldiers Effects, Army pay of £4 5s 5d and £9 War Gratuity to mother Louisa A., Pensions of both John and Samuel(3/- pw) to mother Louisa A.  

Both brothers were remembered by the family in the Liverpool Evening Express on 22nd October 1919: 

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