Robert D. Richardson TZ/1753
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Robert David Richardson was born on 15th January 1898 to Isabella Richardson. Isabella married Sidney Chapman in May 1899. Robert was employed as a weighing assistant at Harton Colliery. When he enlisted in the Tyneside Division of the RNVR as an Ordinary Seaman on 14th November 1914, his occupation was recorded as miner and his year of birth as 1896. He was posted to the 3rd Battalion at Crystal Palace. |
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On 19th January 1915, Robert was borne on the nominal roll of the Collingwood Battalion and was appointed to the rank of Able Seaman on 10th May. Following the disbandment of Collingwood at Gallipoli, he was transferred to the Anson Battalion. Whilst serving with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, he was detached from Anson for service at Stavros. On 19th May 1916, he disembarked in France from H.M.T. Aragon. On 1st January 1917, Robert was appointed Acting Leading Seaman and promoted to the substantive rank on 6th April. On 21st May, he was appointed Leading Seaman Higher Grade and, five days later, was awarded the Military Medal for outstanding bravery in the field. He was promoted again to Acting Petty Officer on 30th June. On 14th September, he was severely reprimanded for neglect of duty and for telling a lie. In late January 1918, Robert was granted fourteen days’ home leave and was permanently appointed Petty Officer on 16th February. On 25th March, he received a shell wound to his right wrist and reverted to the rank of Leading Seaman, his February promotion being cancelled. The following day, he was admitted to the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital at Doullens and subsequently transferred to the Base Depot. On 29th March, he was admitted to Brighton’s 2nd Eastern General Hospital and was granted ten days’ furlough on 24th April. In August, Robert married Hilda Dodsworth. On 30th September, he qualified 2nd Class from a Lewis Gun Course and, on 13th November, was awarded his 1st Good Conduct Badge. On 28th December, he was demobilised at Ripon North Camp, with his discharge dated from 25th January 1919. |
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After demobilisation, Robert was employed as a crane driver. During the Second World War, he enlisted in the Home Guard and, following the war, became a safety officer at Westoe Colliery. Robert died in October 1973. | ||||||||
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