Company Sergeant-Major W. J. Richards

Company Sergeant-Major William John Richards was the son of Mr and Mrs D Richards of Tirydail Lane, Ammanford. His widow lived at Greenfield, Glanamman.

CSM Richards was on active duty in France with the 245th Guernsey Army Troops Company of the Royal Engineers and was a professional soldier. Major J. R. N. Kirkwood of the Royal Engineers had served with CSM Richards off and on since January 1915 and in a letter to his widow, highlighted his splendid ability as a soldier, his popularity and also the high esteem in which he was held by all officers and men of his company.

CSM Richards was returning to camp at 10pm after seeing about some stores, when a low flying German aeroplane dropped two bombs on the road, one of which exploded close by; badly wounding CSM Richards and fracturing both his right thigh and arm. After being taken to the dressing station where he was treated by a doctor, he bore up bravely and cheerfully. That night, he was transferred to No 3 Australian Casualty Clearing Station and on the following morning underwent an operation. His leg had to be amputated but the medics attempted to save his arm. Unfortunately he died on the 17th of August, 1918 due to shock and loss of blood.

Information for this article was taken from the 29th August 1918 edition of the Amman Valley Chronicle.

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