Military History

Richard is listed as being killed in action on 14th September 1918 during a rearguard action in Baku, Persia. The following description of the events leading to his death are transcribed from the book The Story Of The Royal Warwickshire Regiment - By C. L. Kingsford (Available on the Internet Archive). 

On August 31 the Turks again attacked the North Staffords at Binagadi Hill. [between Diga and Mud Volcano] The Armenian battalions, who were in support, bolted, and a company of the Royal Warwickshire, which was brought from Diga, was again too late to save the position. Thus the British were compelled to fall back and at night held a line (with large gaps) from Baladjari along the railway and as far as Diga, where parts of " A " and " C " Companies remained under Lieuts. Goodale and Dowie. Next morning Diga was attacked in force. The Russians and Armenians on the right held for about an hour and then retired. Both flanks being now in the air the little force withdrew, fighting a rearguard action till the remnant reached headquarters at noon. Lieuts. C. Paget and R. F. Bowen were killed, whilst Lieut. C. W. Rogers and Captain Buchanan R.A.M.C. were taken prisoners; of the men 67 were missing.

The events of these two days convinced General Dunsterville that no reliance could be placed on the local troops, and that the evacuation of Baku would soon be necessary. Without better support it was clearly impossible for the small British force to hold a line of fourteen miles. [From the sea to Diga. The British had 900 men in the line, with 400 more on guard and other duties in Baku].

The Turks did not however, attack again till September 14. The main body of the Royal Warwickshire was then holding a line from Baladjari to Darnagul Salt Lake, with two companies of the 9th Worcester on their left and an Armenian battalion on their right. The attack began at 4am. Here for some time the British troops successfully held their ground and beat back the enemy.

But early in the afternoon the Turks broke through further south, where local troops failed to hold the strongest part of the line. So first the Worcester and then the Royal Warwickshire were compelled to fall back. Meantime the North Staffords holding on to their position on the southern ridges secured the safety of the withdrawal. The fighting stopped at sunset, and General Dunsterville then gave his orders for all the troops to march down. Everything had been got in readiness beforehand; the sick and wounded were embarked; by ten o'clock all troops and guns were on board, and by midnight the evacuation was complete.