Ashtead War Memorials - WWI
'Chemist' Albert George Richardson
'A' Special Coy, Royal Engineers
A son of George and Sarah Richardson of Cricklewood, London, born circa 1884, Albert married Louisa Emily Reid during 1909 [reg. Hendon for September Quarter].
Ann Williams has reported discovery of his enlistment at Epsom on 11 December 1915 before assignment for service with the Royal Engineers. Described as 'Chemist' on the War Memorial, he was a Pioneer (Private) in A Company, 1st Battalion, Special Brigade, Royal Engineers. This and other similar units had been set up by the War Office following a request from Sir Douglas Haig, when he became Commander-in-Chief, following the perceived success of a gas attack at Loos. Its particular duties involved the handling of gas cylinders [notably of Phosgene & Phosgene-Chlorine – White Star – mixture] and the production of smoke screens using 'candles'.
The precise circumstances of his death in action have not been established but it took place during the German Spring Offensive of 1918. Interment of his remains in Sailly-Labourse Cemetery Extension, three miles southeast of Bethune, side by side with comrades from the Royal Engineers, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) and York & Lancaster Regiment killed in action on the same day, indicates a loss of life during the Battle of Lys defending the line against the enemy’s desperate but unsuccessful attempt to seize Bethune on 18 April 1918. Six days previously Haig had issued his Backs to the Wall order: -
“There is no other course open to us but to fight it out. Every position must be held to the last man. There must be no retirement. With our backs to the wall and believing in the justice of our cause, each of you must fight on to the end. The safety of our Homes and the freedom of mankind alike depend upon the conduct of each one of us at this critical moment”
Mrs Richardson may be found in the year of her husband’s demise living, on the east side of Rectory Lane, in a cottage three doors away from Mattens Refreshment Rooms on The Street. There had been a different tenant three years earlier and subsequently his widow disappears from local records.
text: Brian Bouchard: if you can add to this page please contact the editor
page added 16 Feb 2009