Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James, one of 6 children of whom only 5 survived, was the 2nd born of 3 sons and had 2 younger sisters. His father Matthew Richardson, born 1868 at West Pelton, and mother Isabella Thompson of Lanchester, where she was born in 1867, were married at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in 1891. Their eldest son John James was born in the parish of All Saints in 1894, James 1896, Matthew Jnr 1898, Jenny 1901 and Isabella 1902 in the parish of St Augustine, Newcastle. In 1901 they were living at 294, Stanhope Street, Elswick, Newcastle, Matthew was a grocer and provisions merchant for his own account, listed as an employer. By 1911 John James (17) and James (15) were working as clerks at the ordinance works, their younger siblings were scholars.
When war broke out in 1914, James was living at Lanchester and enlisted at Consett in 1915. Assigned as Private 32056, he was posted to the 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. The main body of the regiment had departed in August 1915 as part of the 68th Brigade, 23rd Division. He joined his regiment in the field as of January 1916 at their HQ at Blaringham where the units were concentrated at their rest camp near Bruay. March 3rd they took over the front line from the French 17th Division and entered the trenches at Boyan de L’Ersatz and the Souchez river. Some of the men were transferred to the Royal Engineers to form a tunnelling company, returning to Bruay in April to rest. In May they were again back at the front at Souchez-Angres just as the Germans attacked at Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The 23rd Division went into action in support of the 47th London Division. June 11th 1916 the 23rd Division moved to Bomy for intensive training in preparation for the commencement of the Battles of the Somme, June 29th 1916, delayed by bad weather until July 1st 1916. They saw action at the Battle of Albert July 1st-13th including the capture of Contalmaison, Battle of Bazentin Ridge July 14th-17th, Pozieres July 23rd-September 3rd, Flers-Courcelette September 15th-22nd, Morval September 23rd-28th and the Battle of Le Transloy October 1st-18th 1916 including the capture of Le Sars.
James was killed in action October 5th 1916, his sacrifice is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial. He was 20 years of age and single.
As his beneficiary, his mother Isabella received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to her at 296, Stanhope Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Isabella Richardson nee Thompson died at Newcastle-upon-Tyne possibly between 1940-41 aged 73/74 years, Matthew Richardson died at Newcastle, in 1955 aged 87 years.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Richardson is remembered at Lanchester on L62.01
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 274
