Ralph Richardson

Born in 1880, he enlisted as a Regular soldier in the 1st Battalion DLI and fought in the last months of the Boer War. He returned to civilian life and worked as a locomotive shedman in Gateshead, before re-enlisting in September 1914 in the 13th (Service) Battalion DLI. He was rapidly promoted during the Great War and rose to the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major. In the New Year's Honours list of 1917, Ralph Richardson was awarded the Military Cross for his work with 13 DLI.