Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Richard MacDonald SEYMOUR of 43 Muston Street, Mosman, NSW

Richard Seymour Harrington Wells was born on the 11th of March, 1899, in Marrickville, New South Wales.[1] His parents were Richard MacDonald Seymour and Minnie Brown, and he grew up alongside his sister, Mavis Seymour Wells, and his brother, John Seymour Wells.[1] He attended Sydney Technical High School, where he received his education before pursuing a career in architecture.[1] With the First World War raging overseas, Richard chose to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on the 11th of May 1918, joining the 5th General Reinforcements.[2]

Richard’s role as a general reinforcement was to act as a reserve soldier for other soldiers fighting in the war. He could be transferred to almost any brigade. He embarked war on the 14th of September 1918, and was promoted to the rank of Acting Corporal while at sea.[2][3] 

He embarked on the SS Port Darwin from Sydney to Suez, Egypt[2] disembarking 19th October 1918. He marched in to training depot at Moascar and his rank reverted to Trooper. On the 1th September he was allotted to the 7th Light Horse Regiment.

Richard embarked on HT Madras at Kantara to return to Australia on 27th June 1919. He was discharged 19th August 1919.

After returning home Richard resumed civilian life in New South Wales. He continued his passion for architecture, establishing his career in the years that followed.[1] On the 12th of October 1926, he married Betty Mary Strickland Goddard,[1] beginning a new chapter of stability after the upheaval of wartime. He had two children, Pamela Margarella Seymour Wells and Barbara Grace Wells, who both ended up marrying in 1959. Richard lived a long life in the Mosman area and passed away in 1981.[1]

Biography:

Ken Stevenson, Research on Google Drive
https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/80637
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=8381353&isAv=N

https://vwma.org.au/explore/memorials/2237

Endnotes:
[1] Virtual War Memorial Australia (VWMA) – Richard Harrington Seymour Wells profile: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/806379

[2] National Archives of Australia (NAA) – Service record for Richard Harrington Seymour Wells: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=8381353&isAv=N

[3] VWMA – Memorial listings (Concord War Memorial, NSW): https://vwma.org.au/explore/memorials/2237

[4] General background on the Australian Light Horse (structure, role, and duties) – Australian War Memorial resources & secondary sources on mounted infantry.