Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William George Heighton, a carpenter, born 1864 in Dunton Bassett, Leicestershire and his wife Caroline Heighton (nee Pochen (Pochin), married on the 8th June 1886 in Cosby Parish Church), born 12th May 1860 in Cosby, Leicestershire. Richard was born in the 1st quarter of 1899 in Cosby, his siblings were, William Armston Heighton Pochin, born 21st March 1886, Elizabeth, born 22nd January 1888, Alma, born 28th January 1890, George, born 1892 and Caroline Hannah, born 19th October 1896, all his siblings were born in Cosby, in March 1901 the family home was in Littlethorpe, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Richard was residing in the family home in Littlethorpe, together with his father, a carpenter, his mother and siblings, William, a carpenter, George, a blacksmith, William, born 4th July 1903 in Cosby, Elizabeth, an elastic web weaver, Alma, an elastic web weaver, Caroline, a dressmaker and Rose Ellen, born 11th April 1906 in Cosby, also residing in the family home was Richard’s maternal Uncle, George Pochin, a baker, born 1858 in Cosby. In 1939 Richard’s widowed mother, a shop keeper, was residing at 5, Cosby Road, Littlethorpe, the family home of his married sister Caroline Brocklehurst and her husband, George A. Brocklehurst, a master butcher, born 29th December 1898 and their daughter Beryl C., born 27th September 1934, also residing with the family was Richard’s widowed sister Alma, a hosiery trade weaver.
Richard was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 26 Apr-18 – 1.30 am. Orders received that the Battalion would counter-attack the next morning in the direction of KEMMEL village.
3.00 am. Battalion commenced counter-attack with “A” and “D” Companies in front “C” Company in Support “B” Company in reserve. Barrage very poor, country very difficult. First objective taken with practically no casualties. Leading Companies reached second objective (KEMMEL village) but right flank held up, owing to French not advancing.
7.00 am. 7th Infantry Brigade came up on our left, but fell back, without our knowledge, leaving our left flank in the air. Being thus exposed to cross Machine Gun fire from both flanks the position was untenable and under cover of the mist the Brigade was withdrawn to the line of the Railway behind KEMMELBEKE stream where it proceeded to reorganize and dig in. During the counter-attack the following officers became casualties, 2nd Lieutenant H. CHIGNELL (killed) 2nd Lieutenant W. H. PALMER M.C. (killed) Captain E. V. P. PARSONS (wounded and missing) Captain M. HARDMAN (wounded) 2nd Lieutenant R. L. S. SAVORY (wounded) 2nd Lieutenant L. B. WHITTINGHAM (wounded, died later) 2nd Lieutenant B. J. MASON (wounded). Battalion held line of Railway during the day. Shelling very heavy, especially during the afternoon.
Casualties for 25th to 26th April 1918.
Officers. Killed 2. Wounded 4. Total 6.
Other ranks. Killed 9. Wounded 63. Missing 10. Total 82.
Casualties for 26th to 27th April 1918.
Officers. Killed 6. Wounded 2. Total 8.
Other ranks. Killed 2. Wounded 5. Missing 1. Total 8.