Richard William Richards was born in Ballarat, was single and working as a lamp attendant when he enlisted in the 6th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement on 16 July 1915 at the age of 19. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 23 November 1915. He reported to hospital sick (undefined) on 10 August 1916 in France and remained for a month until he re-joined his battalion. The following year was admitted for trench fever and was admitted to Horton General Hospital London. On 15 August 1918 he suffered a gunshot wound to the left arm and was evacuated to hospital in England. The wound proved to be light and he was discharged from hospital two months later, in October. In August of 1919 he was discharged from service and returned to Australia aboard the Suevic.
Tree No. 2574