
| Regimental number | 10/181 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Ballarat, Australia |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Occupation | Tailor |
| Address | Morrison's Bush, Greytown |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 22.2 |
| Height | 5' 4.5" |
| Weight | 126 lbs |
| Next of kin | W A Richards, 45 Bradshaw Street, Ballarat East, Victoria, Australia |
| Previous military service | 7th Australian Infantry (18 months, left country) |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Masterton |
| Rank on embarkation | Private |
| Enlistment status | Volunteer |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Wellington Infantry Battalion |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 10 Arawa on |
| Final rank | Corporal |
| Final unit | 1st Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | Messines Ridge (New Zealand) Memorial, Belgium |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Mr & Mrs W.H. Richards, 45 Bradshaw Street, Ballarat East, Australia |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Embarked Alexandria with unit to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 12 April 1915. Admitted to No.16 Casualty Clearing Station, Mudros, 9 August 1915 (gunshot wound, neck; inflammation of connective tissues, foot); transferred to HS 'Aquitania', 14 August 1915; to King George's Hospital, London, 22 August 1915; discharged to furlough, 29 September 1915; marched into Depot, Weymouth, 13 October 1915. Marched into NZ Base Depot, Grey Towers, 11 January 1916. Proceeded overseas to Egypt, 16 February 1916; rejoined unit, Ismailia, 1 March 1916. Embarked with unit to join the British Expeditionary Force, 6 April 1916. Detached to No.1 NZ Light Trench Mortar Battery, 5 July 1917. Appointed Temporary Corporal, 7 July 1917. Promoted Lance Corporal, 10 July 1916, while retaining appointment of Temporary Corporal. Found guilty, 27 July 1916, of (1) leaving parade; (2) being absent without leave: awarded 21 days' Field Punishment No.2; award of Field Punishment No.2 cancelled as soldier held appointment of Lance Corporal at the time of award. Posted as missing in action, 2 August 1917 (also stated as 1 August 1917). Board of Enquiry, 4 February 1918, concludes 'killed in action, 2 August 1917'. Total war service: 2 years 356 days (of which 2 years 314 days were abroad). Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Wellington Infantry Batln/Main Body |
| Sources | Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 20805581 |
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The NZEF Project, UNSW@ADFA, 2003-2026
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