On Potzieres Memorial, Somme, France is the name of 26404 Battery Quartermaster Serjeant Swainston Harrison Richardson serving with the 33rd Battery Royal Field Artillery who died 31/03/1918.

Pauline Priano has submitted the following;

One of 9 children of whom only 8 are known by name and 6 survived to adulthood, Swainston Harrison Richardson, was the 2nd born son of Francis Richardson and Elizabeth Proud, natives of Sunderland, historically in County Durham, born in 1847 and 1857 respectively.

Francis and Elizabeth were married at St. Peter, Bishopwearmouth, January 7th 1876. His wife’s first two pregnancies ended very tragically. Francis Richardson Jnr was born during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1876 and John William Richardson during the first quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1878, both their sons died during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1878. Francis Jnr was 1 year old, John William between 4-6 months old.

In 1881 the couple were living at 21, Littlegate, Sunderland, with their daughter Alice Ann who was born September 10th 1879. Francis supported his family as a house painter. Ten years later he had his own business as a painter and paper hanger and was also the proud father to a further 4 children. Thomas Richardson was born in 1882, Eleanor, April 9th 1885, Swainston Harrison, November 14th 1887 who was baptised at St. Peter, Bishopwearmouth, December 11th,  Harriet, October 19th 1889, also baptised at St. Peter, November 17th 1889. The youngest of their surviving children, Mary Ann, was born in 1894. 

In 1891 they had been living at Crow Terrace but Francis had transferred his family by 1901 to 3, Ivanhoe Crescent, Sunderland, which consisted of 7 rooms. Alice Ann (21) assisted her mother in the running of the household, Thomas Richardson (18) was studying engineering, Eleanor (15) was employed as a stocking maker, Swainston (12), Harriet (10) and Mary Ann (6) were scholars, 

Francis, Elizabeth and 3 of heir daughters were still living at Ivanhoe Crescent in 1911. Alice Ann had emigrated to the U.S.A. where she married John William Cummings in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, September 30th 1903. John William Cummings was born in the village of Browney, near Meadowfield, County Durham, June 21st 1878. The whereabouts of Thomas Richardson is unknown but he may have joined the Mercantile Marine.

Swainston Harrison Richardson (24) in 1911 was employed as a shop assistant at a grocer’s shop and was living as a boarder in the 3 roomed home of widow Maggie Johnson at Whitefield, BroomHill, in the village of Acklington, Northumberland. Maggie’s two sons were employed as miners.

As early as 1911 there were already rumblings of a possibility of war with Germany which was declared within hours of Germany, as part of a massive attack on France, invaded Belgium violating Belgian neutrality. After a request to Britain by the Belgians for help, London gave Berlin an ultimatum which expired August 4th 1914 at 11 p.m. London time. When this was ignored, King George V then declared war on Germany that same evening.

Prior to the commencement of war Swainston Harrison Richardson served with the Territorial Forces. When he enlisted, September 10th 1914, described as 5 feet 6 and three-quarter  inches tall, fresh complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair, he was immediately sent to Newcastle upon Tyne and assigned to the Royal Field Artillery. 

May 22nd 1915 he was posted to 1A Reserve Brigade at Fenham Barracks as Acting Bombardier, August 15th having been promoted to the rank of Corporal he was posted to the 33rd Battery, 33rd Division and departed to France, August 24th 1915, disembarking the following day.

November 14th 1915 Corporal Richardson was posted to the 105th Brigade and promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the field then moved to the 23rd Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery that same day and appointed Battery Quarter Master Sergeant.

The 23rd D.A.C. had concluded its participation during the Battle of Loos, October 16th 1916 attached to the 8th Division and was relieved from the sector in January 1916 when it concentrated near Bruay for a period of rest. March 3rd they took control of the front line from the French 17th Division between Boyau de l’’Ersatz and the Souchez River, the artillery took over a position at Carency and suffered heavily, subjected to shelling in what was an exposed position. They returned to Bruay in April for a further period of rest.

In May 1916 they moved to the Souchez front before the German attack at Vimy Ridge where the 23rd Divisional Artillery was in support of the 47th London Division. In 1916 the 23rd D.A.C. was present during the Battles of the Somme in France and in 1917 at the 3rd Battle of Ypres in Belgium. The 23rd D.A.C. at the conclusion of the 3rd Battle of Ypres departed to Italy in 1918 but Battery Q. M. Sergeant Richardson remained in France attached again to the 33rd Battery.

In the spring of 1918, March 21st the Germans attacked once again on the Somme where the 33rd Battery was once again in action. March 31st 1918 Battery Q. M. Sergeant 26404 Swainston Harrison Richardson and Sergeant 700540 Sidney Laycock Burrell were killed in action. Extract AFW 3314 signed by Lieutenant C. M. Harvey stated, “Above men blown to pieces it was impossible to bury the remains.”

Battery Q.M. Serjeant Richardson was 30 years of age and single. His sacrifice is recorded as one of 14,719 names inscribed on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France commemorating servicemen from the United Kingdom and South Africa who died on the Somme from March 21st-August 7th 1918 and have no known grave. 

His sister Eleanor, affectionately known as Nellie wrote a letter on behalf of her father to the Record Office, Norwich, which reads as follows, “ 3, Ivanhoe Cres., Durham Road, 17th June 1918. Dear Sir, My father having received news from the War Office stating that any articles belonging to B.Q.M.S. Richardson 26404 33rd Battery R.F.A. who was killed with his Major on March 31st would be sent to him. The following article was in his possession. 1 Gold Ring, 1 Aluminium Wrist Watch, 1 Gold mounted cigarette holder in a silver case, 1 Leather cigarette case, Leather Pocket Wallet, ..illegible..Pillow, ..illegible..Trench Coat, Safety Razor in a Nickel Silver case with initials S. H. R. Should you receive these with his belongings I will esteem it a favour if you would forward to me or my Father, Yours Sincerely Nellie Richardson, Sister of the Deceased.”

Swainston had originally nominated his father as sole legatee but this was later substituted with the name of Betty Stephenson, possibly his sweetheart, who was living at Acklington. She received all monied due to him from the Army, his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal and his personal effects. 

Within days of the demise of B.Q.M.S. Swainston Harrison Richardson his elder brother 2nd Engineer Thomas Richardson, S.S. “Myrtle Branch” (Sunderland) of the Mercantile Marine was lost at sea due to enemy action. 

The loss of their two sons was a heavy burden to bear for Francis and Elizabeth. Elizabeth Richardson nee Proud (61) died during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1918, yet another tragedy for the Richardson family.

Widower and retired painter and decorator Francis Richardson (74) in 1921 was living at 3, Ivanhoe Crescent with his unmarried daughter Eleanor (36). Francis Richardson died at Sunderland in 1925.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Swainston Harrison Richardson is remembered at Sunderland in S140.48 Part 6 page 137.