RICHENS, Enoch Walter
| Service Number: | 2266 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 October 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 7th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Cootamundra, New South Wales, Australia, 22 November 1892 |
| Home Town: | Murrumburrah, Harden, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Railway Porter |
| Died: | Killed In Action, Belgium, 20 September 1917, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Goulburn District Railway Employees Great War Honour Roll, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board, Wallendbeen War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Oct 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2266, 13th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Jun 1915: | Involvement Private, 2266, 7th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Wandilla embarkation_ship_number: A62 public_note: '' | |
| 17 Jun 1915: | Embarked Private, 2266, 7th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Wandilla, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by John Oakes
Enoch Walter RICHENS (Service Number 2266) was born on 22nd November 1892 at Cootamundra. He began working with the NSW Railways as a temporary junior porter in the Goulburn District from 19th December 1911. In March 1912 his employment became permanent. Once he had passed 21 years of age in 1913 his designation became porter. It was from this role that he was released on 30th October 1914 to join the Expeditionary Forces. He made a special arrangement with the Chief Paymaster that the Railway’s share of his wages would be paid to his brother who was also employed by the Railways as a night officer at Werris Creek.
Richens had already enlisted on 17th October. He gave his father living at Nubba as his next of kin. At this time Richens was allotted to the 13th Australian Infantry Battalion and had the service number 1220.
By May 1915 he was infected with venereal disease and was returned to Australia per HMAT ‘Ceramic’ on 26th May 1915.
His return to Australia was brief for he re-embarked at Melbourne on 17th June 1915, but now with the 6th Reinforcements to the 7th Battalion, He had a new service number of 2265.
He reached Gallipoli on 5th August. A month later was hospitalised with dysentery. He was evacuated to Mudros (on the Greek island of Lemnos) and then Alexandria and from there carried on the Hospital Ship ‘Karoola’ to the 10th General Hospital in England, and then the 3rd West General Hospital, London. After recovery he was stationed at the AIF Headquarters Perham Downs and the 2nd Training Battalion before proceeding overseas to France and re-joining the 7th Battalion (which in the meantime had moved to France, on 29th July 1916.
He was mentioned in despatches for his participation in a very successful raid on the enemy trenches on 30th September 1916.
In November he was in hospital again with bronchitis and the treatment involved transfer to the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance, the New Zealand Stationary Hospital at Etaples, the 4th General Hospital at Rouen and then No. 6 and No. 5 Convalescent Depots. He did not re-join the 7th Battalion until 28th May 1917.
In July 1917 he was in hospital again with what was at first diagnosed at gonorrhoea, but the ailment later diagnosed as being a non-venereal infection.
Richens was reported missing in action on 20th September 1917. By 6 October the report was changed to killed in action. Sergeant H I Bright reported:
‘About Sept. 22-1917 the Pioneers were making a track through Glencorse Wood for the S/Bs when we came across a section of men – about 8 in all – killed by a shell and in every case hit in the head. We buried them on the spot and took their paybooks and discs to the Battalion Orderly. Among them I remember the name of Richens.’
Enoch Richens has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.
Richens was recommended for a Distinguished Conduct Medal, but it seems to have never been awarded, despite the nomination being countersigned by a high-ranking officer. The ‘Mentioned in Despatches’ noted earlier refers to the same incident.
‘At Hollebeke on the night of 29th September 1916. No. 2265 Pte E.W. Richens displayed bravery while reconnoitering patrol in No Mans Land. At this point the trenches are only 40 yards apart and although the enemy wiring party was out, this man at considerable risk approached within 10 yards of enemy’s parapet. This work was of most vital importance and the success of the raid greatly depended on his work.
'On the night of 30th September during the silent raid this man displayed conspicuous gallantry in guiding the party across ’No Mans Land’, and when within 10 yards of the enemy’s front line, dashed forward over the broken wire and pushed in the German parapet to enable the remainder of the party an easy entrance during the bombardment. This man worked and cleared, at great personal risk, a track back to our own trench and enabled the party to return without confusion or loss.’
The award was recommended by Captain James Bowtell-Harris and 2nd Lieutenant Charles Davenport Cowan. The page is signed by H G Bennett, Lt-Col. ‘I concur this award’.
- based on the Australian War Memorial Honour Roll and notes for the Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board.
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