In Memory of

Corporal Robert John Richards

16326
1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
Died Of Wounds 29th April 1917 Age 29

Corporal Richards was the son of William and Margaret Richards of 99, Hall Street, Rhos, Wrexham. He lived at 52, Clarence Street, Earlestown with his wife and to children who were at the time of his death aged seven and three. CWGC, who compiled their records after the war, gives his widow as Eliza Paget (formerly Richards) of 71, Athol Street, Earlestown.

He worked at Collins Green Colliery, but, joining up in Liverpool at the outbreak of the war, went out to France in the early stages of the campaign.

According to the obituary published in the Newton and Earlestown Guardian on May 4th 1917, he unfortunately met with an accident and was ruptured by some sandbags falling on him in the trenches. He was a bomb thrower. He was invalided home and recovered sufficiently to go out again.

Corporal Richards received gunshot wounds to his legs during a battle on Sunday April 15th 1917, probably during the Battle of Arras. One leg was amputated and he was taken to Netley Hospital. He died of pneumonia.

He is buried in Newton-le-Willows Cemetery in grave NC 4319.