On Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium is the name of S/13610 Private William Thomas Richardson serving with the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders who died 26/10/1917.

The son of Eliza Ellen and the late Robert Richardson, of Knowesgate, Kirkwhelpington, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Colin Cresswell has submitted the following:-
Known as Thomas he was born in 1896 in Kirkwhelpington the birth being registered at Bellingham. He was the son of a Carter Robert Richardson 1873-1910 and his with Eliza E nee Robson.

At the time of the 1901 Census Thomas was living at his Grandmother’s House Farmer Catherine Robson at Charlton Village Bellingham.

Thomas was enrolled in 1901 at Kirkwhelpington County School leaving in 1910. Thomas’ father Robert died in 1910 aged 37.

By the time of the 1911 Census Thomas was living at Knowesgate Cottage with his widowed mother, sister Mary who was a 17-year-old dressmaker, brother Robert and brother Jasper.

Prior to enlistment Thomas was an agricultural worker. He enlisted in The Gordon Highlanders at Newcastle upon Tyne. It is not known when he enlisted or arrived in France.

Thomas was Killed in Action on the 26th of October 1917 during an attack on the ruined village of Gheluvelt in Belgium where due to heavy artillery and machine fire and very muddy conditions over 200 men lost their lives.

Thomas body was never recovered and He is Remembered with Honour on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Thomas’ brother Jasper Robson Richardson of the East Yorkshire Regiment was also Killed in Action on the 28th of June 1918

William Thomas Richardson is remembered at Kirkwhelpington on K16.03, K16.04, K16.05 and K16.06.