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Born at Cummins on the West Coast of South Australia on February 2 1922, Max was the second oldest son and sixth child of Dorothea Elizabeth and James Alfred Brier Richardson’s eight children. His siblings were Allen, Mavis, Vera, Edna, Cora, Allan Leslie and John. In those less politically correct times, because of the colour of his hair, Max’s nickname was ‘Blue’ a traditional but affectionate name for auburn-haired people.
Max and his siblings attended Port Lincoln Primary where he proved to be a capable student, regularly appearing in the list published each week of students attaining distinctions in their examinations. Similarly, his friend Bill Barwick was also a talented student. Later, their lives were to become linked again. Still a youngster, aged ten, Max’s 44-year-old mother who had been unwell, died in December 1933 just prior to Christmas. Perhaps as a reaction to this loss, Max’s 14-year-old brother, Allen died just three months later in tragic circumstances. Max’s father, a mounted police constable later re-married to Amelia Maud Read in 1939 who brought up the family.
Max’s schooling continued with him being one of 24 boarders attending Port Lincoln High in 1936. Post school, Max gained an apprenticeship as a butcher. He also developed into a reliable, dogged defender for Waybacks with one highlight being the tense drawn grand final against Kirtons in ’39. Max was one of the three backline players who held Kirtons scoreless in the second quarter.
With the outbreak of WWII, active recruiting occurred in country areas, targeting the fit, active young men across the state. Cowell, Minnipa, Wudinna, Port Lincoln and Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula were all targeted with Max being one of 25 and the only enlistee from Elliston to depart for Adelaide at the end of June ’40. Fellow Port Lincoln men, Roland Hood and close friend Bill Barwick also enlisted the same day becoming SX7548 and SX7547 respectively with Max being SX7532. His father, James was opposed to Max enlisting, so this hurdle was overcome when the local doctor signed for Max. As an additional safeguard Max’s A.I.F. record states his birthdate as February 2, 1919, as he ‘added’ three years to be eligible to serve but in reality, had just turned 18.
At Wayville all three friends were assigned to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. Minimal details survive as to how Max sustained a fractured sternum in October during his initial training. From Wayville, the new enlistees moved to Woodside for their preliminary training. This area was not a particularly popular winter camp, because of the severe cold and wet, however the enlistees generally enjoyed the life and looked forward to commencing the next phase of their training.
During pre-embarkation leave, Max married Phyllis Esther on the 27th September. (The marriage did not survive with a divorce being granted in October ’53.) Soon after, the 2/48th contingent embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940. Two days later, his little daughter, Diana Margaret was born at Hutt Street. Max’s leadership skills were recognised with his appointment to L/Corporal during the voyage. The battalion arrived on the 17th December 1940. Their 2/48th Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before moving to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk, a title designed to be derogatory, but one worn with pride.
Typical of country communities, local papers regularly published letters from those serving. Tom Rodda SX2780 from Port Neill recounted race meetings with camels and donkeys: “Wind and rain made the day rather miserable but it did not dampen the ardor of bookies and broadcasters who were well in evidence. The races were on the slow side, so our boys kept rushing down the straight and urging the donkeys and camels home—the ones they had backed. There "is no doubt about the Aussies.” He also added ‘I received your welcome letter last Thursday. Mail day is more important than pay day to us now.” Frank Coffey, from Port Lincoln, writing on the Stratheden mentioned having caught up with ‘Max Richardson, Doug Smith (SX7191), Allan Poole, SX7141 one of the Siviour boys, Sam Seaman and other Lincoln lads are on this ship.’ Once in Palestine he added ‘It was good to get ashore. This country is very wet at present and there is mud everywhere. We are told that we will have another 28 inches yet before the winter is over. We have a fair amount of entertainment in camp, pictures twice a week and concerts in between. There are a good many Arabs around here and they are a dirty looking lot. We get plenty of oranges here. They are equal to if not better than Australian oranges. At Christmas time we received hampers from the Comforts Fund and the officers waited on the men for Christmas dinner.’
Max wrote to his sister from Palestine ‘All the-things that I have seen on the trip over and around here have been an eye-opener to me. Our camping quarters are excellent and the meals are first-class. We (Bill Barwick and "Scotty") had four days' leave recently and went to a rodeo. We are keeping well. There is always plenty to do and plenty of things to see and enjoy when we have the time off.’ By September that year Max had written to say that he had been hospitalised because of concussion from a bomb. More pleasant news was that local residents had dispatched Hampers to their local men, Cpl. Max Agars, Ptes. M. Richardson, Phil Hayes, Rob Agars, J. T. Penna, Gnrs. C. Farrell, J. Cheyne and Driver East. Phillip Bascombe, SX11298 of the 2/8 Field Ambulance also reported meeting Port Lincoln men after church parade including Charlie Barwick SX11145 and Max from the 2/48th who were in adjoining tents. However daily routine was quite different to what was often written in letters back home.
By the 30th July ’42 Max was part of the 2/48th fierce fighting for Tel el Eisa, the railway line near the ridges and Points 23, 26 and 33, all considered strategically essential to the Allied’s advancement. This was preceded by German tanks charging and running over the slit trenches in which the Australians were sheltering. The fighting was ferocious but also resulted in remarkable acts of courage by individual soldiers against the might of the tanks. In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ John Glenn described how the intense action continued “for the next fortnight, bitter and bloody fighting was to rage around this feature until it was finally occupied by A Company… The capture of this coastal ridge turned the whole tide of battle; Rommel’s advance petered out on the slopes of the Tel el Eisa. He had sent counter-attack after counter attack to remove this spearhead that had been thrust deep in his side. The 2/48th Battalion’s casualties for the first day were six men killed in action, eighteen wounded, thirteen missing.” Ron Irwin SX7858, Syd Kinsman SX8953, Corporal Alvine Montgomerie SX7967 and Lieutenant Colonel Max Richardson SX7532 were some of those reported missing. All had become Prisoners of War.
Back home, the West Coast Recorder of 10 August ‘42 reported that ‘Advice has been received by relatives of Port Lincoln that Max (Ginger) Richardson has been posted missing, believed prisoner of war, while serving with the A.I.F. in the Middle East. Max Richardson is a well-known local boy and was a prominent playing member of the Way back football team.’ The Advertiser that week also added to the list ‘Missing, Believed Prisoner Of War SX10598 Pte. R. Bannister. Inf. North Adelaide. SX8953 Pte. S. G. Kinsman, Inf. West Thebarton. SX66O6 Pte. L. T. Kostera. Inf. Balaklava. SX6604 Pte. M. G. Reid, Inf. Balaklava. SX7532 L-Cpl. M. Richardson, Inf., Elliston.’ This was confirmed in September.
Driver Trezise of Tumby Bay described the food ‘I think so much tinned food is one reason for many of the boys getting stomach trouble. We all look forward to the day when we can, sit down to a good roast dinner.’ He also described the wonderful stoicism of the wounded; “You see some pretty bad cases and it makes you realise what a terrible thing war actually is. The other day one lad was brought in with a bad hit in the leg and the doctors decided it would have to come off. One of the chaps working with me asked him if he would like his boot taken off. He answered with a smile that it did not matter, as in a few minutes leg and all would be off.’ Then he added ‘The cemetery is well laid out and kept in excellent condition. All the graves have white wooden crosses and some have headstones as well, chipped from the limestone. All of the graves have limestone borders and are covered with lime-stone chips.’ Before adding that ‘Lofty’ Whait ‘passed through here the other day with stomach trouble. He told us how Max (Ginger) Richardson was taken prisoner of war but they believe he is all right.’ This was life at the front.
According to Max’s and SX8953 Sydney Kinsman’s statement post their escape as a POW, the men were taken prisoner having been captured at the Tel el Eisa railway station when the Germans counter attacked with tanks and artillery. As dark approached, the remainder of their company withdrew without telling the two forward sections, which included Max and Syd. They continued to fight until they were attacked from the rear while also facing tanks and infantry fire from in front, making it impossible to hold out and therefore having no other option that to surrender. Sydney, section leader, Corporal Alvine Montgomerie SX7967, Lieutenant Colonel Max Richardson SX7532 and Private Ronald Irwin SX7858 were all captured together. In terms of his later escape, it is made more remarkable to read in his report that his clothing was ‘only what wearing when captured’ – in the desert. Food and living conditions during imprisonment at best could be described as being sparse. Eight hours working in the rice fields was certainly far different to the life of being a butcher. Inevitably, the fluctuations of the war outcome influenced how the prisoners were treated.
Back home, definite news was difficult to ascertain as Max was first reported Missing in Action, then his father, James was notified in August ‘42 that he was missing believed POW. Others in a similar situation were listed as SX10598 Pte. Raymond Bannister. Inf. North Adelaide, SX66O6 Pte. Louis T. Kostera. Inf. Balaklava. SX6604 Pte. Max G. Reid, Inf. Balaklava. SX7532 and Syd Kinsman SX8953. Eventually, that fate was officially confirmed in February ‘43. Finally, confidential word was received in October ’43 from a British source that Max was then in Switzerland, one of six men, escaped PoW’s from the 2/48th Battalion, who had escaped. The others were:
SX8281 Francis Joseph Dornan - reached Switzerland October 7, 1943
SX7858 Ronald Charles Irwin - reached Switzerland October 6, 1943
SX8953 Sydney George Kinsman - reached Switzerland September 21, 1943
SX13037 Melvin Reginald Maynard - reached Switzerland November 3, 1943
WX10398 George Neil Thompson - reached Switzerland September 24, 1943 and
SX7532 L/Cpl Max Richardson - reached Switzerland October 12, 1943
They travelled for almost a month. It is challenging to comprehend how a young man from country South Australia and a Mediterranean climate could traverse the mountainous terrain including a glacier in wintry snow, wearing ragged uniform and crumbling shoes, being hungry and cold whilst constantly avoiding not only the well-resourced German soldiers and Italian Militia but also avalanches. To prevent frostbite, the resourceful men urinated on their toes and fingers – desperate measures by innovative men.
By October ’44 Max was described as an escaped POW for return to Australia. He then travelled through liberated France on September 23, 1944.
In an interview Max describes his stay at Heiden “camp”.
‘Max Richardson has fond memories of the plain bread and scented tea he and his companions were given at the first Swiss outpost they reached when they arrived at the Swiss border on October 12, 1943 via the Monte Moro Pass “It tasted like crayfish and South Australian beer (almost)”.
Three other Australians - Barry Clive (2/13 Bn), Eric Crich (2/28 Bn) and Don Robertson (2/15 Bn) came in that same day together with two New Zealanders - Aubrey Connelly and Charles Coochey both of the 26 Bn NZEF. They were first put into the “camp” at Schoenengrund but later, on December 17, 1943, moved to Heiden in the far North East of Switzerland near the German and Austrian borders. As the Swiss reacted to the need to keep “evades” of different nationalities in separate “secteurs” of their country, Heiden was closed down and those there moved back to the bigger British “camp” at Wald, outside Zurich. It was a sad day, both for its “evades” and for their local hosts. The British produced a “camps” newspaper under the banner headline “Heiden Closes Down” describes these mutual feelings:
Heiden June 24.
“Heiden camp was closed on Wednesday June 15. It was a sad day both for us and the kind Swiss friends whose hospitality we had enjoyed and to whom we say - “Adieu”.
"The day suited the occasion, for a terrific thunderstorm broke out. Pocket hankerchiefs were freely used by the womenfolk who sped the “Englaenders” on their unwilling way. One man, in a frenzy of despair, jumped out of the train which was taking him away, but it was no good - he was put on another train.
"The shock of sudden leaving made us realise how happy we had been in our little mountain retreat, where we had so thoroughly settled down in the old “Gletch”, “Badhof” and “Weiss” - names that will remain a sweet memory of good friends and good times.
"Who will ever forget our famous view of the Bodensee, placid and serene, eternally blue with the green hills sweeping down to her shores? Or our walks to Rhetobel, Wolfhalden and Grub, with the fields full of flowers and the fruit trees in bloom, or our little park near the “Gletch” with its benches under the Lindens. Every man too, will remember his favourite pub where he was welcomed in true Appenzell style.
"Farewell Heiden - little corner of Switzerland dear to the hearts of some 200 British soldiers. We were happy there and we shall never forget you."
The Chronicle of November ’44 joyously announced that ex-Prisoners of war were homeward bound. The group highlighted that “Two points were stressed by the party, namely, the considerate treatment by the Swiss, who eventually provided empty hotels 'in mountain resorts and assisted the men to learn trades such as watchmaking, and the fact that without Red Cross parcels the men would not have survived on the meagre Italian diet.” The other surprising comment was that “most agree that the Italian women, particularly in the northern districts, were not daunted by the threats of Nazi reprisals which cowed their menfolk, and consistently gave help.” Private Nick Lawrie SX11230 2/43rd from Tumby Bay and Max were amongst those from South Australia who were safely returning.
Not unexpectedly, Max had physical injuries to his eye and shoulder, then later contracted malaria. In ’45 acknowledgement was made of his ‘anxiety state’ and later, depression. At that time little was known of the effects of PTSD with the men encouraged to forget and return to their normal lives.
Port Lincoln turned on a huge welcome for Max and Vince Hegarty in the Parish Hall, with a guard of honor of past and present diggers, formal presentations, speeches and the singing of 'For They Are Jolly Good Fellows'. Dancing and a typical country style supper followed.
It would be challenging to put such a background behind and return to the enclosed work of a butcher, so Max headed for the open spaced of the Northern Territory, living in Alice Springs, hunting kangaroos on which he then used his butchering skills to sell as meat. With a bounty on dingoes which were decimating herds, Max also used his army skills to hunt and rid the outback of these native dogs. It was during this ‘escape’ that Max and Phyllis formalised their divorce in ’53.
Max’s father lived to see Max return safely. He died on the 19th October 1954 aged 88 and was buried in the Port Lincoln Cemetery.
Max eventually re-married to Esma June Follington in ’62 with the two living in Allenby Gardens whilst Max took up a new occupation working as a carpenter in second fix home construction. It was not until Max had enjoyed several decades of freedom and ‘normal’ life that at the end of 1981 he applied to receive the medals he had earned during the conflict. The 39/45 Star, African Star, Defence Medal, War and Australian Service Medals arrived at Christmas time.
Aged 96, Max died on the 14th September, 2015 and is remembered in the South Australian Garden of Remembrance at Pasadena. Esma lived to be 79, she died in June 2003 and was buried at Centennial Park, South East, Shrub Bed S31 Position 4
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion