Pte 57828 William Stansfield Richardson

• Age: 21
• From: Sunderland
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 9th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Neuville-vitasse Rd Cem
  Panel Ref: A.19

William Stansfield was born in Sunderland in 1897 the son of Mr William Edwin Richardson and his wife Margaret (nee Hodgson) of Hetton-Le-Hole, Durham, who were married in 1896.

On the 1901 census the family are living at 12 Glebe Cleft Villas, Chester Rd, Sunderland.

The father William aged 24, a tailor, mother Margaret is 24, children William S. 3, and Charles 1, the family were all born in Sunderland. Also present is Margaret's father John Hodgson aged 59.

  
The 1911 Census shows the family living at 4 Ditchburn Terrace Pallion Sunderland.

His father, William Edwin is aged 34, having been born in Sunderland in 1877 and whose occupaton is shown as a  tailor, whilst his mother, Margaret is aged 34 born 1877 also in Sunderland as were their two eldest children. They have been married for fifteen years and have had four children. William Stansfield is aged 14, born 1897 and is a butcher, Charles aged 11, born 1900, Margaret aged 8, born 1903 and Doris aged 5, born 1906 were both born in Durham.

He married Mary Ann Johnson in 1916 and they had daughter Ethel born 20th Sept 1916

William enlisted in the Army Cyclist Corps as Private 155 before he was transferred to the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 57828. He was killed in action on 09th April 1917 aged just 21. This was Easter Monday and the opening day of the Battle of Arras.

Arras 09^th April 1917

Details of the circumstances the 18^th Battalion had to contend with are illustrated below:

The battalion formed the left assaulting battalion of the brigade, the 2^nd Wiltshire Regiment being on the right, the 19^th Manchester Regiment being in support and 2^nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment furnishing “moppers -up”  for the two assaulting battalions. The brigade advance was timed to begin at ---- hour after “Zero”, suited to conform with the movements of 56^th Division and other divisions on our left further north (near Arras). This battalion’s objective was the front-line system Lion Lane on the left (exclusive) to Panther Lane on right (exclusive). This sector included the strongpoint known as “The Egg”.

The brigade advanced at prearranged time, i.e., 11.38 a.m, from position of assembly trenches south of Neuville Vitasse to German front line. This necessitated an advance across the open of at least 2,000 yards. This area up to Neuville Vitasse- Henin road was crossed in artillery formation; after this, owing to machine-gun fire and considerable resistance from German posts forward in the sunken roads, it was found necessary to deploy. During the whole movement across the open the advancing columns had been under considerable artillery fire from guns of all calibres. On gaining the position immediately in front of German line it was found that the wire was practically uncut; this wire formed two strong belts in front of German trenches. Two small gaps were eventually discovered and Second-Lieut H.F.Merry gallantly led a bombing party through them, but his three remaining men were killed as they reached the German trenches.

From the moment the battalion was “held up” in front of German wire Capt. R. W. Jones, the senior company commander on the spot, at once began the work of consolidating in front of German wire. The battalion held on in this position for the remainder of the day, until relieved by the 16^th Manchester Regiment about 3 a.m. on the 10^th of April, all the time under intense machine-gun and rifle fire.

Between 9th-10th April, 1917, the 18th King's lost 2 officers 2nd Lt. F. Ashcroft and 2nd Lt. H.G. Ewing and 59 other ranks killed. 8 other officers were wounded. 

William now rests at Neuville Vitasse Road Cemetery in France at plot A.19 where his headstone bears the poignant epitaph:

"EVER REMEMBERED BY HIS LOVING WIFE AND DAUGHTERS".

Soldiers Effects to widow Mary Ann, Pension records are for Mary Ann then later for guardian Mary Ann Wolfe and child Ethel Richardson. She remarried in 1919 to Albert Wolfe and lived at 20 Northall Street, Yarm Road, Stockton on Tees. 

They appear on the 1939 Register at 12 Rowan Rd, Stockton-on-Tees. Albert Wolfe, dob 22 Dec 1895, steel erector, wife Mary, dob 30th March 1896, Ethel Richardson, dob 20th Sept 1916.

The father died in 1932 aged 55.

We currently have no further information on William Stansfield Richardson, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.