John's Story.
Birkenhead News 25 May 1918A GUN CREW KILLED AND WOUNDED.
Mr. and Mrs. T. Richardson, Bowling Green, Neston, have received the intimation that their eldest son, Pte. John Richardson, was killed in action on April 13th. Though the official news was received by his parents last Friday, the sad information had already been conveyed to them by the following letter from his captain, who said:- “The enemy had made repeated attacks in massed formation against our positions and the guns of this company were largely instrumental in driving off the enemy withy great loss. During the battle a shell fell on the gun served by your son, and all the team were either killed or wounded. It was not until yesterday that it was confirmed that your son was killed as he had previously been reported missing, although believed killed. He has been reverently buried by men of the Division, and a cross marks his grave.”
Deceased, who had been in the Army just over 11 months, had served with the Machine Gun Corps in Italy and France, and previous to joining up had been employed by Mr. Booth, of Greasby as engine driver. He was held in high esteem by all who knew him, and many messages of sympathy have been received by his parents.