Military History

Richard is listed as being killed in action on 25th October 1918. The 1st/8th Battalion war diary entries for the period 23rd to 26th are transcribed below and it is likely that Richard was actually killed on the 23/24th October.

Pommereuil - 23/10/1918: The attack commenced at 01:30 hours the battalion moving in rear of the 9th Devons and the battalion was to be used to help to mop up Pommereuil if necessary or if this necessity did not arise to pass through the 7th Brigade and carry the intermediate objective which was the road in L.22.a.d. Owing to heavy fog the attacking units of the first wave became rather mixed up and the situation was for some time obscure but on Capt. Montmorency, M.C. (who was commanding the Battalion at this time) going out and taking command of troops of all units and organizing attacks on enemy M.G. posts which had been missed by the first wave owing to the fog. The situation rapidly cleared and all objectives were gained.

Flaquot Brifaut - 24/10/1918: The 74th Bde continued the attack through Bois L’Eveque and the battalion was ordered to concentrate in the vicinity of Flaquot Brifaut in L.15 d. This move was completed by 10.53hrs and the battalion remained here until units of the 7th Bde passed through our line whereupon the unit marched out to billets in Pommereuil.

The casualties during the tour [22nd to 24th] were Killed 13 OR, Missing 5 OR, Wounded Officers 3, O.R. 40.

Pommereuil - 25/10/1918: The work of reorganisation was commenced at once and a draft of 145 O.R. was absorbed

Pommereuil - 26/10/1918: No entry for this day