Alfred Joseph Richards | |
|---|---|
 Richards depicted on acigarette card | |
| Born | 21 June 1879 |
| Died | 21 May 1953 (aged 73) Southfields,London, England |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Service years | 1895−1915 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Service number | 1293 |
| Unit | Lancashire Fusiliers Home Guard |
| Conflicts | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
SergeantAlfred Joseph RichardsVC (21 June 1879 – 21 May 1953) was anEnglish recipient of theVictoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded toBritish andCommonwealth forces.
Richards was born inPlymouth, Devon, the son of a former colour sergeant in theLancashire Fusiliers. In 1895 Richards himself joined the Lancashire Fusiliers as a bandboy, rising tosergeant by 1914. After war broke out in 1914, he travelled with his battalion toGallipoli inTurkey.[1]
Richards was 35 years old, and asergeant in the 1st Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers,British Army during theFirst World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 25 April 1915 west ofCape Helles, Gallipoli, three companies and the Headquarters of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, when landing on W Beach, were met by deadly fire from hidden machine-guns which caused many casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up and cut the wire entanglements, notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy and, after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained.[2]
Sergeant Richards was one of six members of the regiment elected for the award, the others beingCuthbert Bromley,John Elisha Grimshaw,William Kenealy,Frank Edward Stubbs, andRichard Raymond Willis. The courage of the six men was described in the Press as "6 VCs before breakfast".[3]
As a result of a wound sustained in the action, Richards had to have his leg amputated and was discharged from the army as unfit for further service. Despite this he served in theHome Guard during World War II as a provost sergeant.[1]
Richards is buried inPutney Vale Cemetery.[4]
His medals were purchased byLord Ashcroft at auction in 2005 and are held by theImperial War Museum, London.[5]