Rushden Family's Bereavement - One Son Killed and Another Missing
Private Arthur Frank Richardson

Official news has been received that 45128 Pte Arthur Frank Richardson, A Coy., - Suffolk Regiment, husband of Mrs Richardson of 1, Spencer-road, Rushden, has been killed in action. Deceased is the second son of Mr and Mrs William Richardson, of 1, Essex-road, Rushden, whose fourth son, Pte Albert Ernest Richardson, 17897 Northants Regiment, is missing.

The official news, which reached Mrs Arthur F Richardson on Tuesday, stated that her husband was killed in action on August 8th, at a place not stated, and the message of sympathy of the King and Queen was enclosed with the notice. Before receiving the official news, Mrs Richardson had heard of the death of her husband through a chum of the deceased soldier. It appears that Pte Ernest Smith saw Pte Richardson killed, and the news was corroborated by Pte Fred Checksfield, of 6, Spencer-road, Rushden, who wrote stating that he had seen Pte Richardson's sergeant and from him learned the news of his friend's death. The sergeant asked Pte Checksfield to write to Mrs Richardson and inform her of her husband's death. Pte Checksfield goes on to say: "I did not see much of Pte Richardson except when we were out for a rest as he was in A Coy., while I am in C Coy., but we always got on well together. I can say quite truly that he was liked by his company. I think a shell burst near him, from what I can understand." He sends his deepest sympathy to Mrs Richardson, and promises to let her know all he can, adding: "One of his mates told me he was in a working party, but I cannot get to know much."

The deceased soldier, who was 27 years of age, used to work for Messrs. John Cave & Sons. Ltd. He enlisted on January 16th this year, and went to France on March 31st. He leaves a widow and one little girl five years of age. Deceased who was well known and much liked, was a member of the Rushden Working Men's Club. His wife, who is one of the factory collectors, for the Nursing Association, has been doing a great deal of hard work for the Spencer-road, Roll of Honour, and it is a pathetic incident that she received from him on August 10th - two days after his death - a letter thanking the committee for their gift. Pte Richardson is the first to be killed since the names were inscribed on the war shrine, though previous to its erection several men from the street had lost their lives. Mrs Arthur Frank Richardson and Mr and Mrs William Richardson and family desire to express their thanks to the numerous friends for sympathy shown to them in their heavy bereavement.