(MiD) by General Haig. Drv. M2/153541 / Lieut. Imperial Mechanics Trade RFC. The son of Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Richards of Tilbury, ON., brother of Maurice W. (124210). Enlisted in London, ON. with the Imperial Mechanical Transport. Went to France in February 1916. Gazetted Lieutenant, RFC. In December 1918 he was transferred to India arriving 8/01/1918 where he served until October of 1919. He returned to England arriving 21/10/1919  He arrived back in Canada 10/12/1919 and was discharged 8 January 1920.

Driver John W. Richards left for overseas in January 1916, with the Imperial Mechanical Transports, proceeding to France in February. He served as Driver with the Motor Machine Gun Service, was promoted to Lieutenant in the Imperials, and was mentioned in General Haig’s dispatches of those gazetted in December 1917. He was transferred to India where he landed Jan 8th 1918 and served there until Oct 1st 1919 when he sailed for England and arrived Oct 21 and in Canada Dec 10th 1919.

The Tilbury Times, Thursday

20 December, 1917.

Brave Tilbury Soldier Receives Deserved Promotion.

“Driver J. W. Richards of the Mechanical Transport section enlisted from Tilbury in January 1916 and left for England and joined the Imperial Transport. He left for France the following month, and since has been attached to the Imperial Army, being the only Canadian in the motor machine gun battery and has been gazette a Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corp. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Richards of this place and has many friends of this place will be pleased to hear of his promotion.”

John returned to Tilbury and married Pearl (Vickerman) also of Tilbury. They had a son Robert and daughter Katherine (Burgman). John was involved in the Masons and Kiwanis in Tilbury and later in Kirkland Lake later in life. He passed away 10 or 13 April, 1978 at the Port Perry Community Hospital and was buried in Maple Leaf Cemetery, Tilbury.  TT 13/04/78 p15.  

Discharged Jan 8th 1920 due to demobilisation.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards	MiD
Sources	IODE(P), GOH Additional information.

Height	5'8"
Eye Colour	Brown
Age	25
Complexion	Dark
Hair	Brown
Race	White
Birthplace	Quinn, Ontario
Religion	Methodist
Last Place of Employment	Homesteading in Saskatchewan
Average Earnings	$ 40.00 per month
Marital Status	Single
When Enlisted	January 1916
Where Enlisted	London, Ontario
Next of Kin	Father- P.W. Richards,Tilbury.

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