Harold Richardson

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 17/02/2015 - 13:38

First Name:

Harold

Last Name:

Richardson

Mother's Name:

Ada Richardson (nee Youll)

Father's Name:

Robert Richardson

Date Enlisted:

Thursday, June 10, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Sergeant

Unit:

2nd Battalion, 54th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Wednesday, July 19, 1916

Place of Death:

Fromelle, France

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

Sergeant Harold Richardson (Service no. 2912) was born in Stockton, New South Wales circa 1889.

Prior to enlistment he was employed as a Colliery Clerk at the Mount Kembla mine. After enlisting in the AIF he embarked with the 9th Reinforcements, 2nd Battalion on HMAT A8 Argyllshire on 30th September, 1915. He was admitted to hospital with mumps on arrival in Egypt and when he was discharged transferred to 54th Battalion. Soon after he was promoted to Corporal and went with the Battalion to France. He was again promoted on 1st May, 1916 to Sergeant.

The 54th Battalion were engaged in fighting at Fromelle and during the battle Harold was killed in action on the 19th July, 1916.

Sergeant Richardson has been named as one of the soldiers recently exhumed from the mass pit at Fromellle and has been reburied at Pheasant Wood Cemetery, France. He is still to be officially identified.

Harold's brother Alexander Richardson (Service no. 2711) also served in 45th Battalion and was fortunate to be returned to Australia.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, RICHARDSON HAROLD