Ernest Richardson
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Ernest Richardson was born in 1895 at Harthill, Yorkshire, he was the son of Charles a coal miner hewer and Ellen Rebecca Richardson née Revill of 32 Sixth Avenue, Forest Town. Charles was born in 1868 at Thorpe Salvin, Yorkshire, Ellen Rebecca Revill was born in 1873 at Ibstock, Leicestershire, they were married in 1893 their marriage was recorded in the Worksop registration district, they went on to have 5 children, sadly 1 died in infancy or early childhood. In 1911 the family were living at 32 Sixth Avenue, Forest Town, Charles 43 yrs is a coal miner hewer, he is living with his wife Ellen 38 yrs and their 4 children including Ernest 15 yrs a coal miner pony driver.
Private Ernest Richardson, enlisted at Mansfield on 9th September 1914, he served with “D” Company, 1/8th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, landing in France 25th February 1915 he was killed in action on 20th July 1915 and is buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery.
Article published in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times dated 13th August 1915 :- “ANOTHER FOREST TOWN SOLDIER KILLED. “Two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Richardson, of 32, Sixth Avenue, Forest Town, answered the call of their country and joined the army after the outbreak of war, and this week we have to record the sad news that one of them has been called upon to make the supreme sacrifice. The elder of the two, Pte. Ernest Richardson, aged 20, fell a victim to a rifle grenade from the enemy on July 20th. He belonged to the 4/8th [sic] Battalion Sherwood Foresters, having enlisted on Sept. 9th last, prior to which he was employed as a miner at the Mansfield Colliery. He answered the call at the big recruiting meeting held at Forest Town, and after training at Newark, Harpenden, and Braintree, he went to France on February 25th last, going into the trenches for the first time on Palm Sunday. The tone of his many letters written home was always cheerful, and in one of the last he sent he says he was in the best of health, and that they had been having “a stiff time of it, and were glad to get out for a rest, but we could and would have stayed if wanted, and then have given the Germans more than they bargained for.” Writing re the death of his chum, Private Walter Moxon, of Forest Town says, “I have been with him ever since we enlisted, and I am sure a better soldier and pal could not be found.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknalll 1914-1918
