Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Herrman Arthur Attenborough a hosiery needle maker, born in the 3rd quarter of 1858 in Leicester and his wife Eliza Attenborough (nee Pegg, married on the 29th January 1884 in St. Peter’s Church, Belgrave), born on the 21st December 1862 in Belgrave, Leicester and baptised on the 27th May 1863 in St. Peter’s Church, Belgrave. Richard Frederick was born in the 3rd quarter of 1887 in Hinckley, his siblings were Arthur, born in the 1st quarter of 1885 in Loughborough, Leicestershire and baptised on the 5th April 1885 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough and Walter George, born in the 2nd quarter of 1889 in Hinckley, in April 1891 the family home was at 59, Druid Street, Hinckley. In March 1901 Richard was employed as a hosiery trade worker and was residing in the family home at 37, Dares Walk, Hinckley, together with his father, a hosiery needle maker, his mother and siblings, Arthur, a shoe trade worker, Walter and Alma Grace, born in the 2nd quarter of 1895 in Hinckley and baptised on the 16th June 1895 in the Parish Church, Hinckley. In April 1911 Richard was absent from the family home at 91, Druid Street, Hinckley, residing there was his father, a needle maker, his mother and sister, Alma, a hosiery trade sewing machinist. Richard’s two brothers both fell in action, Arthur on the 3rd September 1916 and Walter on the 25th September 1915.
Richard enlisted/attested into the Militia on the 1st November 1904 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 9113. He gave his place of birth as Hinckley, Leicestershire and age as 17 years 4 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as hosiery. He gave his present address as 91, Druid Street, Hinckley, Leicestershire.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 1st November 1904 and recorded his apparent age as 17 years 4 months, that he was 5 feet 4½ inches in height, weighed 113 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 31 and 33 inches, his complexion was described as fair, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was light brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, scar of burn right cheek. He gave his religion as Wesleyan.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Herman, mother Elizabeth, younger brother George, younger sister, Grace, 91, Druid Street, Hinckley. Older brother Arthur, 4th Royal Warwickshire Regt.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Attested. 1/11/04.
Posted. 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 1/11/04.
Commenced. 49 days drill. 1/11/04.
Transferred. To the Leicestershire Regt. Regular Army. 5/6/05.
Richard’s surviving militia record amounts to a total of four pages, of which all pages relate directly to his militia service, and these are in good condition and offer an accurate overall description of some of the events that took place during his short period of militia service.
Richard’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted in Leicester on the 1st November 1904 into the 3rd Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment, Militia and was allotted the service number 9113, and posted as a Private to that Regiment’s Depot for 49 days of drill training. On the 5th June 1905 he transferred to the Regular Army, and was posted to the 1st Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment and allotted the service number 7693. It is unknown whether Richard had completed his service and had been transferred to the reserve or whether he was still a serving soldier upon the outbreak of war, but it can be confirmed that it was with this Battalion that he first entered the theatre of war at St. Nazaire, France on the 9th September 1914. Nothing further is known of his military service until he was reported as having been killed in action on the 15th September 1915, while serving with the 1st Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. He was buried in Guards’ Cemetery, Lesboefs, France. Richard was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp and Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 15 Sep-16 - Battalion moved into its attack position during the night and were finally settled down and ready to attack by 4.30am. 2nd Lieutenant DAVIES attached Q 6th Division. The Commanding Officer decided to attack with “D” and “B” Companies in the front line, with “D” on the left and “B” on the right. “A” and “C” Companies formed the second line, with “A” on the left and “C” on the right. Two Lewis Guns accompanied each Company, and two were left in reserve with Battalion Headquarters. Two Bombing Squads of ten each were also formed in each Company. These squads carried the full amount of bombs, while every man also carried two Mills No.5 bombs (one in each pocket). The fighting strength of the Battalion going into action was 23 officers including (the Medical Officer and Chaplain) and 643 other ranks. About 5.50am two enemy aeroplanes appeared above us, but did not stay long. About this time also, a Tank was noticed on our right moving quietly up to the enemy’s front line. On arriving there he immediately opened fire with his machine guns, enfilading the German trench on either side. He was very heavily fired on by the enemy’s machine guns which apparently had no effect as he still continued his movements and firing. Nothing further happened till ZERO (6.20am) when the attack commenced. The leading Company’s at once advanced at the walk in from lines 30X entrance between lines. A heavy machine gun fire was immediately opened by the enemy from about T.15 b 0.4. The Support Companies followed on in the same formation 300X in the rear of the last wave of the leading Company. Battalion Headquarters moved immediately in the rear of the last wave of Support Companies. The mist and smoke was terribly thick, and allowed no observation by the Support Company’s and Battalion Headquarters as to what was exactly happening to the leading Companies. Owing to this (mist and smoke) a slight error occurred in direction. The right and left under orders to keep in touch with units attacking on our right and left, moved with these units thereby causing a small gap near our centre. This was immediately filled up by Support Companies. The Artillery barrage opened too late to do any harm as the whole of the Supports had crossed the road moving due south from GINCHY (the place where the barrage was directed) before the barrage commenced. Battalion Headquarters had by this time moved into a shell hole about T.14 b 7.4. Throughout the advance the Battalion suffered very heavily from Machine Gun fire. The Battalion had not gained its objective line held up by very heavy fire, and the very strong and undamaged wire of the trench leading from the North West corner of the Left Quadrilateral (a strong point hitherto unknown). “A” Company immediately entrenched itself on a small ridge about T.14 b 9.6 to T.14 b 8.2. Efforts were made to locate the exact positions of “B,” “C” and “D” Companies. It was found that “B” and “C” were entrenched about T.14 b 7.7 had lost very heavily while unsupported. “D” Company had lost very heavily also and the remainder (“D” Company) were still advancing with the GUARDS and occupying shell holes between our new position and the German wire ( a few of the latter came in under the cover of darkness). Good communication was kept with the contact aeroplane by means of flares and groundsheets throughout the day. Great difficulties were experienced in keeping track with Brigade Headquarters owing to the impossibility of using means of wired signalling, and the heavy barrage kept up throughout the day making it impossible for a runner to succeed in getting through. And then later Private PARRY (“A” Company) did excellent work in getting through and returning safely to us, thus three times saving the day, he was finally detained by Brigade Headquarters after a fourth journey. Throughout the day the trenches were improved, and by night everyone had more or less good cover. “A” Company, “B” Company and Headquarters were subjected to heavy shell fire throughout the day. “B” and “C” Company were moved up to where our new line was continued to the right and left. The night was quiet except for heavy sniping in front of “C” Company and its attack on one line of trenches and a communication trench (in course of construction) line carried without any serious opposition. These were occupied by the 9th Bavarian Regiment. No prisoners were taken. Casualties, 2nd Lieutenant J. C. WEBB, 2nd Lieutenant J. G. KENNEDY and Lieutenant A. H. PINDER were all killed. 2nd Lieutenant F. B. STEVENSON, Captain H. PICKBOURNE, 2nd Lieutenant H. A. GRAVES, 2nd Lieutenant W. BLACKLOCK, Captain G. H. SALMON, Lieutenant J. H. JOHN and 2nd Lieutenant R. PICKERSGILL were all wounded. Captain C. W. HERBISON, 2nd Lieutenant G. H. GRISTWOOD, 2nd Lieutenant J. BURNETT and 2nd Lieutenant J. G. GARDNER were all wounded and subsequently died. Other Ranks, “A” Company 23, “B” Company 35, “C” Company 23 and “D” Company 27 were killed. “A” Company 36, “B” Company 69, “C”. Company 56 and “D” Company 60 were wounded. “A” Company 5, “B” Company 11, “C” Company nil and “D” Company 16 missing in action.