John Richardson (1898-)
Wolsingham born man, a member of the freemasons, served in the Royal Engineers
John Richardson was born in Wolsingham in 1898. His father was Jacob Ralph Richardson from Stanhope. His mother was Hannah Richardson nee Briggs from Wolsingham. John’s parents married on 6 June 1894 in Wolsingham. John had one older brother and one younger sister.
At the time of the 1901 census the family were living at the Causeway in Wolsingham and John’s father Jacob was working as a foreman, moulding steel. The family were still living at this address in 1911. Jacob was working as a steel founder and John’s older brother Percy was a chemist apprentice in the steel foundry. John was at school at this time.
During the war John served as part of the Royal Engineers as a Sapper with the registration number 267748. John was awarded the Military Medal for his service, in addition to the British War Medal and Victory medal.
John became a freemason on 3 March 1920 at the age of 21 being a member of the Hudson Lodge in Wolsingham. He was working as a clerk at this time. The photograph of John attached to this page is included in a collection displayed at the Masonic Lodge in Wolsingham.
Civil Parish: Wolsingham
Birth date: 1898
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: The Causeway, Wolsingham (1901 and 1911 censuses)
Organisation membership: Freemason – Hudson Lodge, Wolsingham
Employment: Clerk (1920 Freeman records)
Family: Parents: Jacob Ralph Richardson, Hannah Richardson nee Briggs
Siblings: Percy Richardson, Eva Richardson
Military service:
Royal Engineers
Sapper
Service Number 267748
Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal
Military Medal
Gender: Male
Contributed by Liv - Durham University Intern | Fiona Johnson