RICHARDS, Kenneth Hughes
| Service Number: | 2245 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 March 1916, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 50th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Kent Town, South Australia, 1898 |
| Home Town: | Kent Town, Norwood Payneham St Peters, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Mitcham Public School, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 25 April 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
Adelaide Cemetery Villers-Bretonneux Plot III, Row G, Grave 11 |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Adelaide The 50th Battalion Commemorative Cross, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 25 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, 2245, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Aug 1916: | Involvement Private, 2245, 50th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Ballarat embarkation_ship_number: A70 public_note: '' | |
| 12 Aug 1916: | Embarked Private, 2245, 50th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ballarat, Adelaide |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Le Fevre High School
Kenneth Hughes Richards was born in Kent Town, South Australia in the year of 1898. He lived on Angus Road, Cottonville. His family consisted of Susan Richards (Mother), Thomas Oliver Richards (Father), Gilbert Harper Richards (Brother), Percival William Richards (Brother), Alice Louise Richards (Sister) and Edgar Wrexham Hughes Richards (Brother). Kenneth attended Mitcham Public School and grew up with the religion of the Church of England. Later, he attended Murden Training College and is said to have been a labourer. His father worked in the Government Printing Office of South Australia on King William Road and some in his family believe that he could have worked with his father before enlisting.
Kenneth enlisted for service abroad in Adelaide at the age of 18 on the 25th March, 1916. His service number was 2245 in the 50th Australian Infantry Battalion, his first rank was Signaller. He became known as ‘Ken’ by some of the other soldiers. The battalion began training in Egypt on the 26th of February. They were involved in the doubling of the AIF. After completing their training in Egypt, the troops moved to France on the 11th of June, 1916. While there, they fought in the battle at Mouquet Farm between the dates of the 13-15th of August. Early in the year of 1917, they participated in the advance that caused Germany to retreat to the Hindenburg Line. They then attacked in Noreuil on the 2nd of April. When the focus of the AIF shifted to Belgium, the battalion shifted with it and participated in the Battle of Messines between the dates of 7-12th of June, and later the Polygon Wood battle on the 26th September.
The Germans then advanced in their largest attack against the Australian Army on the Western Front in late March of 1918. The 50th Battalion participated in the repulse and on the 25th of April, and were in the attack in Villers-Bretonneux. This is the date and place that Kenneth Hughes Richards was tragically killed in action during and advance led by Lt. Claridge. He died at the young age of 20 with the final rank of Private.
Biography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Kenneth Hughes RICHARDS parents were Thomas Oliver RICHARDS and Susan HARPER
His brother Gilbert Harper RICHARDS also served in WW1 (SN 2) and was Killed in Action on 24th June, 1918
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