Private Louis Henry Richardson
| Date of Birth | 14 September 1885 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 32 |
| Date of Death | 07 December 1917 |
| Service Number | 24017 |
| Military Service | 13th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment |
| Merton Address | 88 Links Road, Tooting |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Louis Henry Richardson was born in Westminster on 14 September 1885. He was baptised the following month at nearby St. Martin’s in the Field while his parents Thomas and Ellen were living at 2 Blue Cross Street. On the 1891 Census, the family were still living in Blue Cross Street, and Thomas was employed as a Bootmaker. Other members of the family besides 5-year-old Louis were Charles 17, Sidney 10, Walter 2, and Lilian aged 1.
By the time of the 1901 Census, the family had moved south to 162 Lavender Hill, Wandsworth. Thomas’s profession was described as a Limelight Contractor. Only Louis, Walter and Lilian were living at home, and 15-year-old Louis had started work as a Hosiers apprentice.
1911 saw the family still living in Lavender Hill. Thomas was now working as an Electrician. Louis, his brother Walter and sister Lillian were all working in a theatre. Most probably the Grand Theatre in Clapham Junction which had opened in 1900 attended by the famous Dan Leno. Louis was a stage carpenter, Walter was a clerk, while Lilian was working as a theatre attendant.
In 1912 Louis married Dorothy Crouch who lived in the Tooting area. The couple went on to have two children, Molly Doreen in 1915 and Pauline Vivienne in 1917. During the 1st World War, Louis attested in Tooting on 11 December 1916, and joined the East Surrey Regiment, initially with the 1st then the 13th Battalion. He was aged 30 years, and was described as 5 ft 9 in in height weighing in at 150 lbs. The address given was 88 Links Road, Tooting.
The 13th Battalion was a Service battalion that was raised in Wandsworth as part of Kitchener’s Army. They served in France as part of the 120th Brigade, 40th Division. It is not known how Louis died, but records state that he died of wounds and was buried in the Bouchain German Military Cemetery. His remains were reburied in Caberet-Rouge Cemetery, Souchez, France, having been identified by a cross and a Certified Military Report.
Louis’s widow Dorothy received his last pay of £3.10 plus the War Gratuity of £5.00. Dorothy remarried in 1920 to Samuel Moss and continued to live in the Tooting area. It is possible that she lived for a while in the Colliers Wood/ Mitcham area after Louis’s death which is why his name appears on the Mitcham War Memorial.