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Mother: Mary Richardson. nee: Neill.
Charles Neil Richardson enlisted on the 27th of January 1916 with the 13th Reinforcements,
20th Battalion AIF and left Sydney on board HMAT A31 "Ajana" on the 5th of July 1916 and disembarked
at Plymouth, England on the 31st of August 1916. Charles was transfered to the 36th Battalion
and was Taken on in Strength on the 29th of September and re-allocated the number 5084A and was
marched in the the Durrington Army Camp at Larks Hill with the 9th Training Battalion.
Charles was Charged Absent Without Leave from midnight 20.10.1916 until
midnight 22.10.1916 and was Awarded to forfiet 14 Days Pay by
Lieutenant Colonel: James William Albert SIMPSON. He proceeded overseas for France
on the 22nd of November and was marched into the billeting area before proceeding to the front line.
Charles was again Charged Absent Without Leave from the billeting area on
the 25th of April 1917 and forteited 1 days pay by Lieutenant Colonel: James William
Albert SIMPSON.
Charles was treated by the Australian 9th Field Ambulance in Belgium on the 26th of July 1917 for
a Disability and was rested for a week before rejoining his
Battalion on the 2nd of August. Charles was marched in before the Battle of PASSCHENDAELE II.
The Battle of Passchendaele saw 60 Officers and 1,322 other ranks loose their lives.
| 33rd Battalion. AIF | 11 Officers | 273 Other ranks |
| 34th Battalion. AIF | 15 Officers | 323 Other ranks |
| 35th Battalion. AIF | 18 Officers | 296 Other ranks |
| 36th Battalion. AIF | 15 Officers | 383 Other ranks |
| 9th Machine Gun Company. AIF | 1 Officer | 36 Other ranks |
| 9th Light Trench Mortor Battery. | - Officer | 11 Other ranks |
Charles was Wounded in Action; 1st occassion. at PASSCHENDAELE where he received Shell Wound to his Right Knee and was treated first by the 11th Australian field Ambulance in the field and was evacuated to England on board the Hospital Ship "St George" on the 27th of October. Charles remained in england after he was transfered to the 3rd Auxillary Hospital on the 8th of January 1918 and was granted furlo shortly afterwards from the 11th until the 25th of January and war ordered to report to the 4th Command Depot in London. A month later he was transfered to the Overseas Training Battalion on the 21st of February.
Charles proceeded overseas via Southampton on the 28th of March for ROUELLES, France and was marched to the front on the 5th oa April and rejoined the 36th Battalion on the 18th of April. Charles was transfered to the 33rd Battalion and was taken on in strength after the 36th was disbanded on the 30th of April.
13th August 1918.
Lance Corporal: 5084A Charles Neal RICHARDSON, 33rd BN. AIF. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations against enemy positions South of the SOMME and East of HAMEL on 8th August 1918. In spite of the heavy fog this man successfully led his Lewis Gun Section through ACCROCHE WOOD. He handled his gun with great effect, and displayed splendid initiative. He engaged an enemy Machine-Gun with fire and instructed his men to work round it, and captured it. He did especially good work in mopping up two dugouts and with his section captured 27 prisoners. Throughout the operation he displayed great courage and fine qualities.
London Gazette 24th January 1919. Page 1253 Position 63.
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 23rd of May 1919. Page 897 Position 122.
Charles was Wounded in Action; 2nd occassion on the 23rd of August when he received a Gun-Shot Wound to Left Shoulder and Side and was treated by the 10th Australian Field Ambulance before being sent to the 41st Casualty Clearing Station and then the 5th General Hospital in ROUEN before being evacuated to England on the 25th of August and was admitted to the Beaufort War Hospital in Bristol on the 27th of August and whilst there he was awarded a BAR to his MILITARY MEDAL
7th September 1918.
Lance Corporal: 5084A Charles Neal RICHARDSON, 33rd BN. AIF. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations near BRAY on 22/23rd August, 1918. He took charge of his Lewis-Gun Section as the N.C.O in charge became a casualty, and reorganised it on the first objective heavy fire. He led his section forward to the second objective with great dash and displayed excellent leadership. On reaching the final objective, he established his gun forward of our line, and covered our consolidation. He used his guns with splendid and timely effect during the enemy counter attacks. His work considerably helped us to remain firm, although our left flank was in the air. By his utter disregard of personal danger, and his initiative and leadership he set all ranks a very fine example.
London Gazette 14th May 1919. Page 6009 Position 8.
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 15th of September 1919. Page 1363 Position 16.
Charles was granted furlo from the 2nd October until the 16th of October from Stonehouse and from there he was ordered to return to London for his return to Australia. He left England on board the "Aeneas" and returned to Australia on the 16th of January 1919 and was discharged on the 30th of March 1919.
Charles enlisted with the Special Services AIF as a Guard for enemy depotrees returning to Europe after the fist world war on the 8th of August 1919 and held the rank of Acting Quartermaster Sergeant. He left Sydney on oboard the "Rio Negro" on the 19th of August 1919 and disembarked in London on the 27th of October. He was ordered to report to AIF Headquarters for duty on the 23rd of December. Charles was a STOWAWAY on board the Hospital Transport "Indarra" on the 1st of May 1920 but allowed to proceed to Australia and was dischared on the 15th of June 1920.
Charles's British War Medal:49702 to L-CPL 5084 C.N. RICHARDSON. 33BN AIF was acquired from Victoria, Australia in April 2008 and is now in the collection.
Charles was a single 24 year old Horse Breaker from "Hill Crest" Chapel Street, Leichardt, N.S.w. prior to enlistment. His mother was his next of kin and lived at the same address.
Charles and Mary Richardson were married in 1885 at Parramatta, N.S.W. Marriage Cert:4611/1885.
(Australian National Archives)
Under Construction 26/03/2008.
