Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James and Mary Richardson, and the husband of Emma Richardson.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday July 6th, 1917

Writing from France to Mr C. E. Marston of the “Coalville Times” office, Pte. Alf Richardson, a former printer at these works, says that he is A1. He has met “Wally” out there, referring to a youth who was formerly employed by Mr H. Underwood, hairdresser, and the other day he also met a Stanton-under-Bardon cricketer, with whom he used to play in the happier days.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 21st, 1917

COALVILLE PRINTER IN FRANCE

THE WORK OF THE LEICESTERSHIRE MINERS’ AMBULANCE CARS

In a letter to Mr D. Marston, of Vaughan Street, Coalville, Pte. Alf Richardson, a member of the ‘Coalville Times’ staff who is on the Western Front, says that when he was at the machine-gun base he met Sergeant James, a Coalville Town cricketer, and also Benskin, cricketer and Leicester Fosse footballer. He saw Benskin make a score of 70 in a cricket match out there in July. He has not yet come across W. Page or F. Northcott, two of his former workmates, who are also in France, but he is keeping a sharp look-out. He continues, “I am writing this in hospital as I am landed here for a while a bit run down, and it is a little change too from the trenches, though I am not far away. I have been lucky up to now, only pieces of earth have hit me or the trench knocked in quite close, which, of course, is nothing, but it is apt to set you thinking about what has just missed you. But amid it all, there are some happy times spent in the trenches. We get decent rations, especially bread which comes up every day and beats even ‘Nice’ biscuits. I suppose we are all getting prepared for another winter which will soon be with us now. We make plenty of fires and get good warm tea to our meals and look after ourselves best we can under the trying conditions. When I saw the reports of the cricket cup rounds in the old paper it made me long for a game. I thought of the many pleasant games I’ve had in the competition. Things seem to be going off much as usual in Coalville, and it would be very nice to come on leave, but I can look for the winter through before my turn. One thing I saw down at our base which interested me very much was one of the beautiful ambulance cars which the Leicestershire Miners’ Association supplied for the bringing in of our brave wounded Tommies. It passed me a few times going in and out from the station to the hospital there. It is paper day today, and many a Friday I think of the “Coalville Times” being printed and what a different job I am on now. The Vickers machine-gun is a fine weapon and a most interesting one too, and it is very nice to fire, though sometimes it’s rather warm for us, especially when you are sitting in an uncomfortable shell hole, and they start dropping near you. But it’s all in the game, and we have to stick it and hope for the best. I have just received two letters from home and a very nice parcel, and you can guess how I appreciated those – news like this is tres bon. Also the old “Times” though I am sorry to say that one or two of these have gone astray, worse luck. I will tell you a bit about “Minnies”, rifle grenades, 5.9’s, “whizz-bangs” etc, when I reach home, which I hope may be soon.”

Coalville Times article - Friday November 9th, 1917

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Mrs Richardson, of Crescent Road, Hugglescote, has received news from France that her husband, Pte. Alfred T. Richardson, of the Rifle Brigade, has been dangerously wounded. A subsequent message states that he is a little better, and has been removed to the Base Hospital in France. Pte. Richardson was formerly a member of the staff at the “Coalville Times” Printing Works. Since he joined up, his wife, with her two children, has been residing with friends at Ellistown.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 23rd, 1917.

LOCAL CASUALTIES

A former member of our staff, we regret to state, has to be added this week to the ever increasing list of men from this district who have only fallen while doing their part to uphold their country’s cause. Mrs Richardson, of 121, Crescent Road, Hugglescote, a fortnight ago was notified that her husband, Pte. Alfred Richardson, of the Machine Gun Corps, had been seriously wounded in the right arm and chest, and a subsequent letter from a hospital nurse gave the hope that he might recover sufficiently in the near future to be able to travel to England, but on Saturday last, there was a telegram and letter stating that he passed away on November 11th. The letter was from a chaplain, who wrote, “I expect you have heard by now that your husband passed away on Sunday afternoon in this clearing station. I saw a good deal of him while he was here and very patient he was. The day before he died he dictated a letter to you, and I am now copying it out as I took it down in pencil at his bedside.”

Continuing his letter, the chaplain says, “I gave him Holy Communion on Sunday morning and he seemed very happy and content in his mind, and spoke to the Sister, saying how glad he was to have had the service. Later on, he was in pain again, and was given morphia, and soon after the dose had worn off, he passed away. I buried him yesterday in _______ Cemetery, close by. It must be very hard for you to lose him without ever being able to say good-bye, but you will always be able to remember that he was thinking of you and the children, and that he died in peace, and perfect trust in God. He seemed to us like a man who had done his best, and was content to await whatever God had for him. Please accept my sincere sympathy. God help you to be brave and calm in your sorrow. For him you need have nothing but joy that he is at rest.”

Private Richardson, who was 25 years of age, joined up nearly two years ago. Prior to that time he was a compositor at the “Coalville Times” Printing Works, where he had served his apprenticeship. Of a genial disposition, and a capable and conscientious workman, he was held in the highest regard alike by his employers and fellow-workmen, who deeply regret his death.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 23rd, 1917.

THANKS

Mrs A. Richardson, wishes, through this medium, to thank all friends for kind expressions of sympathy towards her in her great bereavement, through the loss of her husband, Private A. Richardson (died of wounds). 121, Crescent Road, Hugglescote.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 15th, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Alfred Talbot Richardson, who died from wounds received in action in France, November 11th, 1917.

“On the resurrection morning,
Soul and body meet again
No more sorrow, no more parting
No more pain.”

From his loving Wife and Children, (Emma and Mary).
Crescent Road, Hugglescote

In loving memory of Alfred Talbot Richardson, who died from wounds received in action in France, November 11th, 1917.

“He laid his richest gift on the altar of duty – his life.”

“Peace, perfect peace.”

From his loving Mother
Northampton

Coalville Times article - Friday November 14th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Alfred Talbot Richardson, who died from wounds received in France on November 11th, 1917.

Gone but not forgotten

From his loving Wife and Children.

In loving memory of Albert Talbot Richardson, who died from wounds received in France on November 11th, 1917.

At Rest

From his loving Mother.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 29/11/2017