DRAFT

Owen Waldo Richards (known as Waldo) was born on 19 September 1895 in Aberavon, Neath. He was the eldest son of Timothy and Lillian Richards.

In the 1901 Census, Waldo is shown as 5 years old and living at 25 Cwmavon Rd, Aberavon with his parents and 3 siblings. His father Timothy was shown working as a Grocer on his ‘Own Account’. By 1911, the family had moved to 27 Ty Mawr Rd, Llandaff and Waldo had started work as a Tin Worker.

In early 1914, 4 months before the start of the Great War, Waldo joined the 1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade. The Brigade was part of the Territorial Force, and he would have been expected to attend regular evening drill sessions as well as annual summer camps.

At the outbreak of War in August 1914, Waldo would have been mobilised. He left Neath shortly after, travelling around the UK as the Brigade readied themselves for active service.

On 23 September 1916, Waldo married Ida Mabel Maddy (known as Mabel) in St Neots in Bedfordshire. According to Waldo’s Great Grandson; He met his wife while he was based in Bedfordshire near St Neots. Shortly after, Waldo was transferred overseas and would not have seen Mabel again until he was discharged in 1919.

After he returned to civilian life, Waldo found work on the Railways. The records of the National Union of Railwaymen show that he joined the Neath No.2 Branch on 31 July 1919. It also states that he was working for Neath & Brecon Railway as a Blacksmith’s Mate.

The following year, Waldo and Mabel welcomed their first and only child, Mary Lorriane (born 1920). A separate record gives their address as 24 Villiers Street.

By the time of the 1939 Register, Waldo and Mabel had moved to 35 Giants Grove Rd, Neath. He gave his occupation as Salesman and Collector.

Waldo Richards died in March 1947 at the age of 51. The Neath Guardian reported; The death has occurred of Mr. O. Waldo Richards, at his home, Giants Grave Road, Brynhyfryd, Briton Ferry, after a brief illness. Mr Richards was 51 years of age, and treasurer and Press representative of the Briton Ferry branch of the British Legion. He had been employed at the Metal Box Factory, Neath. Mr. Richards leaves a widow, Mrs. Mabel Richards, and one daughter, Mrs. C. Reed. The private funeral took place at Ynysymaerdy Cemetery, Briton Ferry.

DRAFT

Waldo Richards enlisted in the 1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade as a Driver in late March/early April 1914. Unfortunately, his service record was destroyed in the Blitz, however the few remaining official sources coupled with other fragments of information make it possible to give an outline of his service.

At that time he enlisted, he would have been given a Brigade service number. Based on other records, this was most likely 792 and he would have joined the 2nd Glamorgan Battery which was based in Neath and Briton Ferry.

After he enlisted, Dvr Richards would have attended weekly drill session and when War was declared, it is likely that he was with the Brigade who had just left for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain.

The Brigade quickly returned to Swansea where he, along with the rest of the Brigade, was embodied for War Service.

Shortly after, the Brigade travelled to Shrewsbury for around 3 weeks and then moved to Northampton where they trained until they moved to Cambridge shortly before Christmas 1914. The Brigade moved again in May 1915, setting up camp in Bedford with the rest of the Welsh Division.

On 22 November 1915, the Brigade travelled to France, however Dvr Richards did not travel with them. Its is not known why.

Given that he met his wife whilst serving in St Neots in 1916, it is reasonable to assume that he had transferred to the 2nd Line of the Brigade, the 2/1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade who were based there at that time. The 2nd Line were created to undertake the home defence duties of the Territorial Force, freeing up the 1st Line to serve overseas.

According to the records of the Briton Ferry Boys at the Front Fund Committee, Dvr Richards went on the serve in Egypt for 2 years. His Great Grand-daughter added; My father doesn't know why he didn't go to France but he does know that he went to Egypt. Apparently, he was an Officers bat man. There is at least one photo of him in his uniform from when he was there.

There are two further clues relating to Dvr Richards’s service. In January 1917, the Territorial Artillery were given new 6-digit service numbers. Dvr Richards was given the number 725190, which was from a block of numbers allocated to the Welsh Howitzers, this suggests he was still associated with the Brigade. Also, the Briton Ferry Boys at the Front records mention 265 (Howitzer) Brigade, which was the name of the Brigade for much of 1916 before it was split up. Unfortunately, it is not possible that he served with 265 (Howitzer) Brigade, however, it does suggest he rejoined his former comrades in Egypt who were split between 2 other units.

If this was the case, it is reasonable to assume that he took part in the final 2 years of the War in Egypt which would have included the 3 Battles of Gaza and march into Jerusalem in 1917 and the subsequent push through Palestine and the Judean Hills until the defeat of the Turkish Armies in October 1918. Following their victory, the Brigade returned to Alexandria for a victory parade and then started to return home in early 1919.

According to the Briton Ferry Boys Committee records, Dvr Richards was discharged in May 1919 and they awarded him a wristwatch in January 1920.

Driver Waldo Richards was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service.