A fine 1914 Star trio & plaque group to Private William Richards, who survived the 1st Day of the Somme 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment in June 1916, only to be killed in an accidental multiple grenade explosion the following month.

1914 Star, British War and Victory Medals all named L-14741 PTE W.H. RICHARDS. 4/MIDD’X R.; Memorial Plaque named WILLIAM HECTOR RICHARDS in wax card cover. They come with a Middlesex Regiment cap badge, copies of service records, MIC, medal roll, CWG certificate and war diary extract.

William Hector Richards was born in Edmonton, Middlesex in 1895. A greengrocer’s assistant he was serving with the 5th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (Militia) when he enlisted into the 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (Regular Army) just after turning 18 on the 5/1/1914.

He landed in France with the battalion on 13/8/1914. The battalion was part of the 8th Brigade, 3rd Division and saw heavy fighting in 1914 and 15. He survived the 1st Day of the Somme when the battle went into action at Fricourt, the battalion being relieved on the 3rd. It cost the battalion some 15 officers and 131 men killed, 4 officers and 337 men wounded, 15 missing believed killed and 38 missing.

On the 12th July 1916 a box of grenades exploded whilst being moved in the transport lines. It killed 4 men, wounded another 4 and killed 12 horses.

His records give the date of death as the 13th so it is most likely he was one of the wounded who died the next day with his records recording ‘accidentally killed’.

He is buried in the Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty.