On Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France is the name of 18100 Private William Thomas Richmond serving with the 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 12/07/1916.

He was the son of Isabella A. Richmond, of 19, Ward Street, Hendon, Sunderland, and the late William T. Richmond.

Pauline Priano has submitted the following;

One of 9 known children of whom only 6 survived William Thomas Richmond Jnr was the son of William Thomas Richmond Snr born at East Hartlepool, March 29th 1864 and Isabella Ainsley Hall, native of Sunderland, historically in County Durham, born October 21st 1868.

His parents were married at Sunderland in 1893, the birthplace of their son Arthur, April 17th 1894. William Thomas Jnr was born at Hendon, Sunderland in 1896, their daughter Isabella Hall, August 18th 1898. In 1901 they were living at 23, Thompson Street, Sunderland. William Thomas Snr supported his family working as a shipyard labourer. Ten years later he was a mariner in the Merchant Service and also the proud father of a further 2 children, Harold born November 1st 1902 and Norman in 1906.

By 1911 William Thomas had transferred his family into 7 rooms at 21, Athol Road, Sunderland. Arthur Richmond (16) was employed as a ship painter, William Thomas (15) was working as a marine engineer’s fitter, Isabella, Harold and Norman were scholars. Hilda Richmond was born in 1913.

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.

William Thomas Richmond upon his enlistment was assigned to the 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers as Private 18100. The 12th Battalion, 62nd Brigade, 21st Division as part of Kitchener’s New Army was raised at Newcastle upon Tyne in September 1914, Trained at Halton Park, Buckinghamshire and moved to Witley Camp, Surrey for final training, the Division landed in France during the first week of September 1915 and was rushed into battle at Loos, September 26th 1915.

Private Richmond was not amongst the first draft, he arrived in France, October 12th 1915. Prior to his departure the Richmond family had received tragic news of his father Able Seaman Z/4035 William Thomas Richmond (51).

Able Seaman William Thomas Richmond was lost at sea, presumed drowned, when his ship, “Universal” registered at Sunderland and crewed by many local men, disappeared, September 3rd 1915, in the Bay of Biscay, supposedly sunk by a mine.

During the spring of 1916 preparations were already underway for the forthcoming Battles of the Somme with troops receiving final training. The opening battle was programmed to begin, June 29th 1916 but postponed due to bad weather. On the morning of July 1st 1916, after two huge detonations in the explosive packed tunnels under the German lines, at 7.30 a.m. the whistles blew and the men went over the top.

The opening battle at Albert lasted until July 13th at the conclusion of which Private 18100 William Thomas Richmond was reported as missing, not having been seen since July 12th. His mother as next of kin was informed. After extensive investigations as to his whereabouts he was struck off strength, his death presumed to have taken place, on or since, July 12th 1916.

His sacrifice is recorded as one of over 72,000 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France commemorating servicemen from the United Kingdom and South Africa who died on the Somme 1915-1918 and who have no known grave. Private 18100 William Thomas Richmond Northumberland Fusiliers was 21 years of age and single.

His mother Isabella received all monies due to her late son from the Army, “for distribution,” his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal also a pension sent to her at 50, Ward Street, Sunderland.

In 1921 Isabella Richmond (52), Isabella Hall (22) and Hilda (7) were being supported by 15 year old Norman Richmond working as an errand boy and Isabella’s nephew William Hall (24) employed as a surface worker at Silksworth Colliery. On the eve of the 1921 census there was a visitor in Isabell’s home at 17, Ward Street, Sunderland, Jenny Davison who was 13 years old.

Isabella was living in rooms at 93, Chester Road, Sunderland in 1939, Isabella Ainsley Richmond nee Hall died at Sunderland, historically in County Durham, in 1943, aged 74 years old.

N.B. CWGC in error lists this soldier’s service number as 16100, all official Army documents confirm 18100. 

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

William Thomas Richmond is remembered at Hendon on H123.02 and at Sunderland in S140.48 Part 3 page 49.

He is not remembered in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance.

and in the  D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page