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GRC Richardson . British Army GRC Richardson served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project are no longer in touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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Sgt Harnett Richard Richardson . Royal Air Force 61 Squadron from Hartlepool (d.17th Dec 1940) Harnett Richard Richardson (known as Dick) son of Harnett Richardson (died as a result of injuries sustained in WW1)and Eleanor (Nellie) Richardson all from Hartlepool. Eleanor was later re-married to George Robert (Bob) Smith and had two daughters Gladys (Pi) and Jean Smith who were half sisters of Dick.
Dick joined the Royal Air Force at 17/18 yrs and became Sgt 526112 in Bomber Command Squadron 61, flying Hampdens as an Observer (Navigator) in WW2 out of Hemswell (Harpswell Aerodrome), Lincoln.
At the age of 22 yrs he married Lillian Greenfields, who was aged 17/ 18yrs from Lincoln, but was tragically killed in action just two weeks later.
He and his crew; Sgt G.E Cowan DFM, Sgt A.J.P Casey and P/O E Reeves took off from Hemswell in Hampden X3128 on December 16th 1940, on an Operational Flight over Mannheim in Germany, but failed to return on December 17th.
The only correspondence Dick's mother ever received about her son was a telegram from his wife to say he and his colleagues had been lost without a trace and were missing presumed killed in action. Nothing more was ever heard. The Crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial to the Missing and also in Lincoln Cathedral.
Some years ago, Jean had contact with Harry Moyles, author of 'The Hampden File' within which there is reference to Dick's last operational mission.
If anyone has any memory or knowledge of Dick, his wife Lillian, his co-colleagues or indeed what happened on that fateful mission, please contact his remaining sister.
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Sgt. Harnett Richard Richardson . Royal Air Force 61 Squadron (d.17th December 1940) My mum married an airman when she was 17 or 18 yrs. His name was Harnett Richardson he was only 18 or 19 years old and he was a navigator flying a Hampden in World War 2. My mum was only married to Harnett for 2 weeks before the plane came down killing all on board when coming back from Mannheim in Germany.
My mum whose name was Lillian Greenfield died in 1983 before telling me or my sister her story. I have since acquired their wedding photos and other photos of Harnett and his fellow pilots. The crew on the Hampden were Sgt. G.E. Cowan DFM, Sgt A.J.P Casey and P/O E Reeves.
Sometimes I feel really sad for my mum and all the families of that Hampden plane, if only she had told me. I don’t know if any relations of Harnett are still alive.
I live in Lincoln and have been in contact with the bomber command archives in Lincoln and have taken my photos and other information that I have acquired for them to preserve.
Some years ago a lady in the name of Jean Walker was trying to find out information relating to my story but unfortunately nothing has become of it.
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Sgt. Harrnet Richard Richardson . Royal Air Force Observer 61 Squadron (d.20th Dec 1940) I have been contacted by a lady who is trying to get information on her Father. Her mother received a letter from MOD stating that Sgt Richardson, Observer of 61 Squadron, had failed to return from an Operational Flight on the 17 December 1940. She never received any other information. I was hoping that someone may possibly be able to fill in some blanks for this Lady.
Editor's Note: According to RAF Losses, Hampden X3128 took off from Hemswell on the 16th of Decemebr 1940 on an operation to Mannheim, the aircraft and her crew were lost without trace.
The Crew are commemorated on the the Runnymede Memorial to the Missing.
- Sgt G.E.Cowan, DFM
- Sgt H.R.Richardson
- Sgt A.J.P.Casey
- P/O E.Reeve
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Commando. Henry Victor "Twink" Richardson . Royal Marine Henry was my Dad, known as Twink because of his dark very curly thick hair. The only information I have is a service certificate stating 'volunteer', and showing first entry at age 18 in service at Depot, R. M. Lympstone, 25 Feb 1943. It's important to stress, Dad had signed at the age of 14, and been through a hell of a lot before this date, including the sinking of the Lancastria. He was made to forfeit 192 days service for being under age which included badges, engagement and pension.
There is a list of ships or bases: - R. M. Lymstone 25 Feb '43 - 3 May '43
- R. M. T. G.Group 4 May '43 - 13 Nov'43
- Copra 14 Nov '43 - 3 May '45
- B.L. R. M. T. G. 4 May'45 - 14 June '45
- Highflyer 15 June '45 - 4 Aug '45
- (3 or 8 ?)Paganza(np2437) 5 Aug'45 - 8 Sept'45
- Sultan l 9 Sept '45 - 30 April '46
- then what looks like Porto DW 1 May '46 - 21 Aug'46
His Cause of discharge is given as 'released in class A' and 12 Aug '46 has been stamped but has faded, where it says wounds received.
I know he fought the Germans at the start, then was eventually stationed at Singapore for a year after the Japanese surrendered.
He was washed ashore and resucitated at St Nazaire, he always said he heard angels singing as he blacked out in the water.
I have a photo when he was about 17.
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Henry Victor "Twink" Richardson . Royal Marines Harry Richardson was my dad, and was aged only 14 yrs and 9 months when the Lancastria was hit. He passed me a piece of paper one day with writing on (SS Lancastria) and said one day I would understand it but at the time he was forbidden to speak about the circumstances. The only other thing I remember was the date, 17th June 1940, also my sisters birthday.
We knew that at some point in the war Dad heard angels singing (he was drowning), he mentioned that often. According to other family members he was washed ashore and revived. When I think about this, he was just a boy, not an easy man to live with as a father, the war destroyed his legs (shrapnel), and tormented his mind.
I am in the process of applying for his records, although because he was a Royal Marine Commando, I may have to wait a while.
He served in Malaysia and Burma. He was also very artistic and would draw pictures for his mates to send home. I remember him mentioning that his unit had to line the steps to the building for the Japanese surrender. He would also sometimes have to be driver for Mountbatten (who liked the gin). I wonder if anyone remembers him?
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HG Richardson . British Army HG Richardson served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project are no longer in touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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F/S J. E. Richardson . Royal Air Force 514 Sqd. (d.30th Jul 1944) F/S Richardson was lost without trace over the English Channel on the 30th of July 1944 when the aircraft failed to return to Waterbeach after a raid on Caen.
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Sgt. J. W. Richardson . (d.25th May 1943) Sgt J W Richardson was killed on 25th May 1943 on Ops to Düsseldorf flying from RAF Elvington.
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James Richardson . British Army from Glasgow Unfortunately, I never met my grandfather, James Richardson, from Glasgow but I understand he was captured in St Valerie in France, which I visited recently, and was a prisoner of war for 5 years in Stalag XXB.
This is the only information I have for him. My mum, died recently, and whilst visiting my aunt she began to talk about her dad. Any information, as a starting point would be gratefully welcomed.
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Pte. James Fisher "Mick" Richardson . British Army 7th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers from Annan,Dumfriesshire
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Flt.Sgt. John Richardson . Royal Canadian Air Force 426 Squadron from White Rock, Vancouver John Richardson flew with 415 and 426 Squadrons.
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L/Cpl. Norman Venerolles Richardson . Britsh Army 1st Btn. Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment) (d.28th Apr 1940) Norman Richardson who died aged 25 was born in Jarrow in 1915. He was the son of Joseph and Lydia Richardson (nee Malone) of Jarrow.
Nirman is buried in Nord-Sel Churchyard and is commemorated on the WW2 Roll of Honour Plaque in the entrance of Jarrow Town Hall.
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WO. Norman Stanley Richardson . British Army East Yorkshire Regiment from Ashington Norman Richardson served in India, Palestine and Dunkirk.
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Pte Norman Richardson . British Army 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment from York (d.23rd April 1944) My Great Uncle Norman Richardson became missing in action in 1944 in Burma. He is commemorated at Rangoon War Memorial, I hope to go to Myanmar and visit him one day!
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Pte. Norman Richardson . British Army 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment from York (d.23rd Apr 1944)
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Air Mech.(E) Norman Alfred Richardson . Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm from Winchester, Hampshire Whilst working on my family history, I have discovered that my father, Norman Richardson, began his war service in the Royal Air Force in 1942 and subsequently transferred to the Fleet Air Arm in 1944. He is recorded as serving on HMS Fencer at the end of the war and also as part of the ships company of HMS Bambara from 26 December 1945 to 17th July 1946.
I would love to know if there is any information out there about the men Norman would have served with as he passed away in 2010 but rarely spoke about his war service.
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P Richardson . British Army P Richardson served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project are no longer in touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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P Richardson . British Army Royal Armoured Corps P Richardson served with the Royal Armoured Corps British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project are no longer in touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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Pte. Peter Herbert Richardson . British Army Middlesex Regiment from Holloway/London (d.24th Feb 1944) My uncle, Peter Richardson whom I was named after, was killed at Anzio, Italy, he served with the Middlesex Regiment along with his brother Dennis. They survived being in the rearguard at Dunkirk, and his brother Dennis survived the war, but always suffering the effects of being continuously shelled. I have visited his grave at the Beach Head War Cemetery in Anzio, and was very pleased to see the condition it is kept in. It's a very long time ago now, but if anyone has any information regarding my uncle, and is prepared to pass it on, I would be very grateful.
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PR Richardson . British Army 15/19th Hussars PR Richardson served with the 15/19th Hussars British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project are no longer in touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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Reginald Jack Richardson . Royal Air Force So proud of our grandfather Reginald Richardson who, sadly, passed away in April 2018. The following are exerts from a book he once started writing and our father's words from the funeral.
At the age of 18 he was the first to join the newly-formed local Air Training Corps and also part-time studied aerial navigation. As a result when he was called-up he was able to join the RAF. After three weeks of training at the Air Crew Reception Centre he was required to have a Night Vision test.
September 17th 1941 The End of a dream. The Officer closes the book and quietly says 'I am sorry to inform you that you are partially colour-blind', I ask how this condition affects my training, his reply is like a dagger thrust straight to my heart, 'I have to recommend to your Training Officer that you be removed from any further training for Air-crew duties'. I am completely devastated.
After retraining as ground crew he was upgraded to Aircraftsman First Class and posted to East Kirkby as instrument repairer. It was a pretty arduous time as they worked all hours to keep the Lancaster bombers flying. The following incident perhaps best describes a certain aspect of Dad’s character, determination.
31at of August 1944. Have today completed my first year of Service! August has equaled the Squadrons July record of operations, with the loss of only 3 aircraft. I have suffered the indignation of a reprimand from a visiting Sergeant from Workshops, this individual pays a visit to the Flights `once in a blue moon’, usually when the sun is at its zenith. He has seen me assisting Armourers manoeuvring a loaded bomb-trolley into position under a bomb-bay, called me to one-side and informed me it was not part of my remit to assist other trades and if I have time on my hands it is an indication that I am neglecting my own duties! Ignorant Bigot! he has no idea of working practices here on the Flights, here we all work towards the same end, `keep them flying’, we are all suffering sleep deprivation, Armourers worse than most, their work is heavy and subject to sudden changes, many are prime examples of Somnambulism, some have been removed from duty for their own safety, (as well as ours) accidents have been on the increase, fortunately none fatal, but chance of disaster is ever present with the large amount of High Explosive lying around the Dispersals!!. Demarcation of duties is not practicable, I have to accept the Sergeant's reprimand, without comment, but it will have no bearing on my future actions! I complete my assistance to the Armourers, return to the Flight hut and report my confrontation with Sergeant to my Corporal.
One thing that has aggrieved him over the years is the overwhelming impression that it was only the fighter pilots that won the war for Britain and that people have not necessarily forgotten the men of Bomber Command, but have largely uncelebrated their contribution. Within Bomber Command, attention is often focused on air crew, while the ground crew, who kept the aircraft flying in dangerous and arduous circumstances, are overlooked.
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L/Cpl. Richard Richardson . British Army 2nd Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) from Scotland (d.22nd April 1944)
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Assistant Storekeeper Robert Henry Richardson . Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar from Bootle, Lancashire (d.2nd Dec 1940)
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Pte. Ronald Richardson . British Army 4th Battalion Green Howards from Skelton-in-Cleveland My father Ronald Richardson was obliged to join the Territorial Army in March 1939 (Leslie Hoare-Belisha the then Minister of War introduced conscription after the fall of Czechoslovakia). He joined the local infantry regiment, the 4th Battalion, Green Howards in his home village of Skelton-in-Cleveland.
The Battalion was mobilized on 1st September 1939 as part of the 150th Brigade of the 50th (Tyne-Tees) Division in Middlesbrough. Shortly afterwards they moved to the Cotswolds, where the Division trained before moving to France in January 1940. Before entraining, they were inspected by the King, George VI, who had promised to see off every unit leaving for France.
In France, the Battalion prepared to face the coming German onslaught, and when the expected attack started on 10th May, the Battalion was sent forward into Belgium. Here, the poorly equipped Battalion was pushed aside by the German armoured units and started the long retreat to the Dunkirk area, taking part in the failed counter-attack at Arras.
After this, my father, as a lorry-driver, was detached to drive ambulances from the casualty clearing station at La Panne, near Dunkirk, to the beaches for embarkation. This was an unpleasant duty, the wounded in the ambulance were crying out in pain and the beaches were continually being strafed by German dive-bombers. Eventually, on the 2nd June, the ambulance drivers were allowed to get onto the ships leaving for England.
After a short period of leave, the Battalion re-concentrated in south Lancashire and the 50th Division took up defensive positions in south-west England to await the expected German invasion. The 4th Battalion was sent to Weston-Super-Mare. From here my father drove water tankers to Bristol, as after heavy air raids the city had no water supplies for several days.
In May 1941 the 50th Division was sent to the Middle East. While on embarkation leave my father rode his beloved motor-cycle once more and had an accident and broke his leg, so that he did not go abroad with the Division, instead joined the Green Howards' holding unit, the 30th Battalion, near Doncaster. This unit, made up of medically-downgraded men was employed guarding important sites in south Yorkshire.
In early 1943 the 30th Battalion was sent to North Africa, where it was used to guard important positions in Tunisia. The Battalion then moved via Sicily to Taranto in Italy, and then to Bari, where it remained until the end of the war. In early 1946 my father was discharged and returned home.
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Skr 2nd Class Roy Richardson . Royal Navy HMS Drake from Middleton Lancashire
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S Richardson . British Army Durham Light Infantry S Richardson served with the Durham Light Infantry British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project are no longer in touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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SS Richardson . British Army 24th Lancers SS Richardson served with the 24th Lancers British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project are no longer in touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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Ldg.Fireman. Stanley Richardson . National Fire Service from Gorton, Manchester My father, Stanley Richardson, enlisted in the A.F.S. in September 1939 and was based at the London Rd, Manchester, Fire Station.
He served, in the newly-named N.F.S. during the 1940 Manchester Christmas blitz and in late 1941 was sent to London for further training for the position of Divisional Catering Officer. He returned to Manchester and was the given the post of Divisional Catering Officer for the North West.
I have the impression that, for this, he was based in Bolton, Lancs. At the end of the war, he was offered the position on a permanent basis, but chose to return to the family bakery business in Gorton, Manchester.
I joined my father in this enterprise in 1960 and moved it to Denton in 1976. Stanley died in 1985 aged 75.
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T. T. Richardson . Royal Air Force
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