Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"Corporal Roy Richards. DIED OF WOUNDS.

Mr. W. E. Richards, Managing Director of Hill, Clark and Co., Ltd., has been advised by cable of the death of his youngest son, Roy, in England, on the 26th November. The first news of his being wounded said that it was not serious, but a further intimation from the military advised "Dangerously ill, gunshot wound in chest," and apparently pneumonia supervened after his arrival at hospital in England. Roy, who was the first of Mr. Richards four sons to enlist, was the only one connected with the business, where he was universally popular. Of a cheerful, bright disposition, he made many friends, both in the office and outside, and his loss is deeply regretted by all, and a great blow to his parents. He was also among the first of the staff, and his home centre of friends to enlist nearly two years ago, being attached to the 19th Battalion Machine Gun Section, which landed in Gallipoli simultaneously with the British forces at Sulva Bay, moving across to link up with the latter, and subsequently he was chiefly at "Quinn's Post," and "Cameron's," remaining on the Peninsula until the evacuation.

After going to France he was attached to the 5th Australian Machine Gun Section, being in action at Armantiers and Poziers and at the time of his death was one of three left out of the original section leaving Australia. His first and only furlough was for eight days in England in September last, and it was evident that he was wounded soon after his return to the front from his holiday. At the time of his death he was a Corporal, and from letters apparently was in a position of great trust in the fighting line. His letters were always cheerful and full of hope, and he was very proud, not only of being an "Anzac," but "Poziers-Anzac" which is a great reputation to have achieved. He gave for his country a good young life, which wus full of promise, and is deeply mourned by all with whom he was associated." - from the Sydney Stock and Station journal 08 Dec 1916 (nla.gov.au)

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland 

Died on this date – 26th November…… Roy Richards was born at Homebush, Sydney, NSW in 1894. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 2nd March, 1915 as a 21 year old Clerk from Homebush, NSW.

Private Roy Richards embarked from Sydney, NSW on HMAT Ceramic (A40) on 25th June, 1915 with the 5th Infantry Brigade, 19th Infantry Battalion “D” Company.
Private Roy Richards disembarked at Alexandria on 7th January, 1916 (This would have been after the evacuation at Gallipoli but there is no evidence recorded in his Service Record file that Private Richards was at Gallipoli even though he would have been there).

On 10th March, 1916 Private Richards was transferred to 5th Brigade Machine Gun Company from 19th Battalion. He proceeded to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) from Alexandria on 17th March, 1916 & disembarked at Marseilles, France on 23rd March, 1916.

He was appointed Lance Corporal on 4th July, 1916 while in France.

Lance Corporal Roy Richards was wounded in action on 7th November, 1916. He was admitted to 36th Casualty Clearing Station on 7th November, 1916 with shrapnel wounds to chest wall. Lance Corporal Richards was transferred to No. 9 Ambulance Train on 8th November, 1916 & admitted to 1st Australian General Hospital at Rouen, France on 8th November, 1916. He was transferred to England on Hospital Ship West Australia on 12th November, 1916.

He was admitted to 2nd Southern General Hospital, Bristol, England on 15th November, 1916 with G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) to chest wall - severe. His condition was reported as dangerous on 21st November, 1916.

Lance Corporal Roy Richards died at 1 am on 26th November, 1916 at 2nd Southern General Hospital (Southmead), Bristol, England from wounds received in action – G.S.W. to chest.

He was buried on 29th November, 1916 in Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England where 21 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located. His name is remembered on the CWGC Screen Wall & he has a flat Memorial Stone. Cemetery/Memorial reference Screen Wall 5.730.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/arnos-vale.html