Derek Haynes has submitted the following:

Gordon was born in the March Q 1927 in the registration district of Sunderland, the fourth child of John George and Barbara Brannigan Richardson (nee Greenhow). His parents were married in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Southwick on the 3rd January 1920. At the time of the marriage John, aged 21 years, was employed as a Cartman residing at 54 Stoney Lane, Southwick, while Barbara, also aged 21, was residing at 22 King Street also in the parish of Southwick.

George and Barbara had six other children:
John G. Richardson – born 21st June 1921
Robert Fenwick Richardson - March 1923.
Henry C. Richardson - June Q 1925.
Joyce Richardson - Q 1929
Robert F. Richardson – 6th December 1933 (Registered March Q 1934)
William B. Richardson – 6th December 1933 (Registered March Q 1934)

All the above births and the death were registered in Sunderland.

Gordon never knew his elder brother Robert, as Robert died aged 4 years on the 7th June 1927 when Gordon was only a few months old. Robert was laid to rest in Southwick Cemetery on the 9th June 1927. At the time of Robert’s death the family was living at 6 Shakespeare Street, Southwick and father John was employed as a Motor Driver.

In 1933 what should have been a time for celebration in the Richardson household with Christmas and the birth of twins Robert and William, it turned out to be a time of great sadness. Barbara, aged only 35 years, died in the Borough Sanatorium just before Christmas after giving birth to twins Robert F. and William B. She was laid to rest on the 26th December 1933 in Section B Grave no. 347 of Southwick Cemetery. This left father John to bring up 5 young children, the oldest being Henry, aged 8, and the youngest twins Robert & William who were only weeks old.

By 1939 John was residing with two of his sons, John G. and Robert F. at 31 James Armitage Street, Southwick. It is not known where the other family members were.

More detailed research will be needed to find what became of the family after such tragic circumstances. To date I have been unable to determine if John remarried.

I can find no records of Gordon’s time in the Royal Navy. What is known is that he served as an Air Mechanic; his service number was L/FX85698. He was based at H.M.S. Sanderling which was a Royal Naval Air Station situated at Abbotsinch, Renfrewshire, Scotland. I have no information as to what illness or injury Gordon succumbed to while serving at H.M.S. Sanderling but he was treated at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride where he sadly passed away on the 21st March 1947. His body was returned to the family home at Southwick; he was laid to rest on the 26th March 1947 in section B, Grave No. 665 of Southwick Cemetery. A CWGC headstone marks his final resting place.Inscribed at the base of the stone are the words: “ONE DAY WE WILL UNDERSTAND”

Gordon’s father John lived till the age of 74. He passed away in Sunderland General Hospital in late June early July 1972. He was laid to rest on the 5th July 1972 in Southwick Cemetery in the same plot as his wife Barbara.

Gordon Richardson is not remembered on any local war memorial.

The CWGC entry for Air Mechanic Richardson