John Reed Richardson (1888-1917)
Sunderland fitter served as an engine room artificer on HM Submarine E36
John Reed Richardson was born on 17 January 1888 in Sunderland. His father was Thomas Hogg Richardson (1862-1942), a local man who worked as a thrower in a pottery. His mother was Emily Violet Common (1866-1944), a coal trimmer’s daughter who was also from Sunderland. His parents married in Sunderland in 1886 and John, the eldest, had two sisters and two brothers. In 1891 his family lived at 7 Australia Street, Sunderland and ten years later, at the time of the 1901 census, were living at 3 Franklin Street, Sunderland.
After completing his apprenticeship as a fitter and turner, John joined the Royal Navy on 27 October 1909 at the age of 21. He planned to make his career in the Navy and signed on to serve for 12 years. He was initially rated as acting engine room artificer 4th class and given the service number M1401. He served on a variety of vessels and worked his way up to engine room artificer 2nd class by 1916.
At the time of the 1911 census he was staying in a boarding house at 11 King Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire while ashore. In 1912 John married Elizabeth Grace Davey Smith (1889-1950), in Sunderland, She was a mason’s labourer’s daughter from Jarrow. They set up home in Portsmouth.
On 19 January 1917 John was serving on HM Submarine E36 when it collided with submarine E43 in the North Sea off Harwich, Essex. His vessel was lost with its entire crew of three officers and 28 men. His body was not recovered for burial.
He is honoured on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial and in the Book of Remembrance 1914-18, Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland.
John Reed Richardson was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.
Civil Parish: Sunderland
Birth date: 17-Jan-1888
Death date: 19-Jan-1917
Armed force/civilian: Navy
Residence: 7 Australia Street, Sunderland (1891 census)
3 Franklin Street, Sunderland (1901 census)
11 King Street, Southsea, Hampshire (1911 census)
Employment: Fitter and turner (1909 service record)
Family: Parents: Thomas Hogg Richardson (1862-1942), Emily Violet Richardson nee Common (1866-1944)
Siblings: Catherine Isabella Richardson (1892), Herbert Richardson (1894), Joseph Richardson (1898), Emily Violet Richardson (1902)
Spouse: Elizabeth Grace Davey Richardson nee Smith (1889-1950)
Military service:
M1401
Engine room artificer 4th class, 1909-1912
Engine room artificer 3rd class, 1912-1916
Engine room artificer 2nd class, 25 October 1916
HM Submarine E36
Medal(s): 1914-15 Star
Victory Medal
British War Medal
Memorial(s): Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Book of Remembrance 1914-18, Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland
Gender: Male
Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham