John Richmond

Joined 2nd Battalion York and Lancs. Rgt. at Pontefract on 10/10/04 for short service age 18 yrs 9 mths. Complexion - Fresh, Eyes - Hazel, Hair - Brown, Height - 5ft 7". Was a member of the 1st Notts Rifle Volunteers before enlistment. Served India 28/7/1906 - 25/10/1907. Transferred to the Army Reserve 28/10/1907 age 21 yrs 9 mnths. Intended occupation was a painter and intended place of residence was 96, Hartley Road, Radford. He was mobilized at Pontefract on 5/8/1914 and landed in France on 9/9/1914 at the port of St Nazaire. Moving initially to the area around Crecy the battalion then took part in the actions on the Aisne in September before deploying to the Ardennes in October. On 18th October the battalion was engaged near Beaucamps-Ligny and was ordered to conduct a reconnaissance in force astride the Boi-Genier-Beaucamp Ligny Road. They were able to capture the village of Radingham with little opposition and from there advanced 300 yards across a plateau towards woodland that contained the Chateau de Flanders. It was at this point that the battalion met heavy German resistance and were driven back and casualties were considerable. John was originally commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, but his body was identified in 2014 and he is now buried in Y Farm Cemetery (grave ref. N45). (See 'extra information'.)

Personal inscription on CWGC headstone: 'He fell and was lost but now is found and rests in peace at last his life given so we might be free.' Nottingham Evening Post, 4 February 1915 (photograph): ‘Pte. J Richmond, 2nd Yorks. and Lancashires, last heard of October and reported wounded and missing October 18.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Public Notices’, 6 February 1915: ‘Private J Richmond, No 7969, 2nd Yorks. and Lancs, last heard from October 12th, reported wounded and missing October 18th. Would any comrades knowing his whereabouts communicate with his wife at 3, Vernon-avenue, Old Basford?’ (www.britishnewspaperarchives.co.uk) John Richmond was commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial. However, in 2009 a mass grave was found near Lille containing 53 burials. Twelve have been identified through DNA and are all 1914 casualties, mostly 2nd Yorks & Lancaster Regiment. John Richmond was one of those identified. The re-internment of these 53 men took place at a ceremony at 11.30hrs on 22nd October 2014 with full military honours and his body now lies in grave reference N45 in Y Farm Cemetery, France. The information on John Richmond has been supplied courtesy of his great great nephew Richard Clay who also adds the following details :- John Richmond was my great great uncle. His brother, Myles, was my mother's great granddad, and his son, Horace, her granddad. Both served in the Robin Hoods, Myles being a member of the 1st Notts Rifle Volunteers also before the Territorial Army was formed in 1908. Myles was discharged 3 days before the Robin Hoods went to France. Horace was gassed at Hill 60 and wounded at Gommecourt 1/7/1916.