Private Stephen George Richardson
| Date of Birth | 18 December 1876 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 41 |
| Date of Death | 9 April 1917 |
| Service Number | 47218 |
| Military Service | 22nd Battalion, (Tyneside/Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers |
| Merton Address | 31 Boscombe Road, Mitcham |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Stephen Richardson was born in Croydon on 18 December 1876 and baptised the following March. His mother Emma and his father Thomas had a large family and Thomas was employed as a Carpenter/Joiner. In 1881, the family were living at 6 Elmers Road, Woodside, Croydon. Besides 4-year-old Stephen, the other children were Harry 16, Isabella 14, Mary 12, Thomas 11, Eliza 8, Florence 6 and Ethel aged 2.
By 1891, the family had moved to 26 Mandrake Road, Tooting. Four of the elder children had left home, and Thomas, Florence, Ethel and Stephen were joined by Alice aged 9 and Ellen aged 7. Stephen was now 14 and was working as a Carpenter’s Apprentice, following in his father’s footsteps.
1901 saw another change of address to 35 Trevelyan Road, Tooting. Eliza, Alice and Ellen were still living at home, and Stephen was now a fully-fledged Carpenter.
The following year in 1902, Stephen married Mary Josephine Bushell. The next record we have of them is the 1911 Census which records that the couple were living at 30 Kettering Street, Streatham. They now had 5 children of their own - William 9, Gladys 5, Stanley 3, Mary 2 and Leslie aged 2 months.
On 11 December 1916, Stephen attested at Mitcham under the Derby Scheme. By 1915 the army needed more manpower, so the upper age limit was raised from 38 to 40 years of age and included married men. The register states that his age was 38, but he actually enlisted just a few days before his 40th birthday. Records show that he was 5 ft 7 in in height, weighing in at 118 lbs. The address given was 31 Boscombe Road, Mitcham, which is why his name is included on the Mitcham War Memorial.
Although he was initially attached to the Royal Engineers (No. 1895365), he transferred to the 22nd Battalion, (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers, presumably because his father was born in Durham, on the border of Northumberland.
Stephen’s battalion took part in the Second Battle of Arras (9 April – 16 May 1917) and unfortunately, Stephen was killed in action on the first day. He is buried in the Rolincourt Valley Cemetery, France and commemorated locally on the Mitcham War Memorial.