Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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Updates for Sergeant William James Richmond
Date Information
20/03/2016 James Richmond, age 27, Australian Infantry Corps, son of Mrs J Richmond, late of Lislea, Kilrea, now resident at 15 Bridge Street, Leven, Fife, Scotland. Deeply beloved.
20/03/2016 From the Northern Constitution dated 17th February 1917:
20/03/2016 His mother lived at 15 Bridge Street, Leven, Fife, Scotland.
20/03/2016 Sergeant William James Richmond is also commemorated on Lislea L.O.L. war memorial.
10/03/2016 The 1911 census does not list William as living with the family at house 1 in Lislea, Tamlaght, County Londonderry.
10/03/2016 The following morning the Battalion moved to Le Harve Railway Station, leaving D Company behind. On arrival at the Station entraining commenced at 8:00 am and the train left at 11:15am. The journey was slow and occupied until 4:30pm on the 24th. On arrival at Bailleul the men detrained and marched to Outtersteene. D Company arrived at 4:00pm the following day. The Battalion rested here in billets for two days previous to taking over garrison duties in the line at Armenties.
10/03/2016 The 34th Battalion left Larkhill on the 21st November and entrained at Amesbury for Southampton, embarking on the S.S "Arundel". The Battalion arrived at Le Harve, France on the 22nd November 1916. Disembarkation commenced at 8:00am and the Battalion marched to No 1 camp on the Hill, arriving at 2:00pm.
10/03/2016 Here the Battalion transferred to S.S."Aragon", E867. Some Australian Details were on board, also a number of Tommies going to England on Furlough. Devonport was reached on the 23rd June, the Battalion disembarked at Plymouth at 1:00pm and entrained during the afternoon for Amesbury, arriving at midnight and marching to hutments at No: 1 Camp, Larkhill. Here the Battalion settled down training. Later the Battalion moved to the No: 25 Camp and finished off their training, which included six days' battle practice and field work at the Bustard Trenches.
10/03/2016 The voyage to England was without any unusual incidents and a good passage throughout. Suez was reached on 8th June, where a party of Light Horse and some details were disembarked. Arriving at Port Said on 9th, the ship coaled and proceeded to Alexandria which was reached on 11th June 1916.
10/03/2016 On 1st May 1916, the Battalion left by Train from Farley Station for the Showground in Sydney, equipped with kit bags and necessary clothing, and was reviewed in Moore Park by General RAMACCOTTI. On the following morning, 2nd May 1916, the men embarked on the transport HMAT A20 "HORORATA" and sailed at 4:00pm
10/03/2016 William James Richmond enlisted with A Company, 34th Battalion AIF on the 11th of December 1915 and was an original member of the Battalion with the rank of Lance Sergeant.
10/03/2016 On 27th November the Battalion went into the line in the L'Epinette Sector. The sector taken over had been held by the Northumberland Fusiliers, whom the 34th Battalion relieved.
10/03/2016 William emigrated to Australia.
10/03/2016 William had two brothers who also served. Private 54621 Alexander Richmond and Private 2643 Joseph Richmond both served with the 34th Battalion as well.
10/03/2016 William's father died on 22nd May 1910 in Kilrea. He was 63 years old.
10/03/2016 The 1901 census lists William J as age 11 living with the family at house 4 in Moneygran, Kilrea, County Londonderry. Joseph Richmond was a farm labourer.
10/03/2016 Known family: Joseph Richmond, Lizzie Richmond, Alexander Richmond, Christina Richmond (born 20th November 1887), William James Richmond (born 31st October 1889), Robert J Richmond (born 13th November 1891), Mary Richmond (born 12th November 1893), Joseph Richmond (born 25th May 1897), Elizabeth Richmond (born 30th October 1899).
10/03/2016 William James Richmond was born on 31st October 1889 in Kilrea.
10/03/2016 Prior to enlisting William was a single 26 year old Farmer from Gunnedah, New South Wales.
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10/03/2016 According to reports, Sergeant Richmond was killed by shrapnel at Armentieres and buried in a cemetery at same place.
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10/03/2016 Sergeant William James ‘Bully’ Richmond was serving with the 34th Battalion of the Australian Infantry when he was killed in action on 26th of January 1917.
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10/03/2016 William's British War Medal (38508) was acquired from a dealer in Melbourne, Victoria in July 2007 and is now in the Harrower Collection.
10/03/2016 The CWGC record Sergeant William James Richmond as the son of Joseph and Lizzie Richmond, of 10, Triangle Place, Leven, Fifeshire, Scotland.
10/03/2016 Sergeant Richmond is buried in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery.
10/03/2016 William Richmond was the son of Joseph and Lizzie Richmond (nee Waddell). Lizzie was Scottish and no record of a marriage can be found in GRONI, so it may be assumed they were married in Scotland.
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