Frank Richardson (police officer)

Frank Richardson (1851–1938) was an English policeman. He joined the Birmingham City Police in 1873 as a constable third class. Within one year he was promoted to constable second class and one year later to constable first class. In 1878 he was promoted to sergeant within the same force, and in 1882 he applied to be chief constable of Hereford, Herefordshire and was successful. He remained in this post, receiving the King's Police Coronation Medal in 1912[1] and being decorated[2] at Buckingham Palace in 1917. He was at that time the "Most Senior Chief Constable of England" [3] He had married in 1870 and had nine children of which seven were sons with only one not joining the police service. In total he and his family provided 176 years service to the constabularies of England and South Africa. Between 1903 and 1920 there were three Chief Constable Richardsons in office.[4] He was also the chief fire brigade officer of Hereford, adding many innovations to the fire service.[5]

Early life

Frank Richardson was baptised Frank Richardson Green.[6] He was the fifth child of James (1823–1885) and Alvina (1828–1886) Green, of Upton St Leonards, near Gloucester, Gloucestershire.[7] His father was a builder, stonemason and bricklayer, who usually employed about five or six men. He was also a deputy overseer.[8][9]

At the age of five he went to the village school. From the age of eleven until seventeen he attended a prestigious school in central Gloucester. Like his brothers and sisters, he also had to work on the family smallholding. His father and grandfather had a strong work ethic which was passed on to all the children and in Richardson Green's case it led to him using his home knowledge to set up his own business in Gloucester at the early age of seventeen. At twenty he married Mary Taylor (1851–1894)[10] and they immediately moved to Birmingham where he started another business.[11] Later in the year Frank Richardson Green and his wife returned to Gloucester, where their first child was born. For a while he ran a successful business in central Gloucester but in August 1872 they returned to Birmingham where he joined the Birmingham Police Force.

Birmingham

At this point Frank Richardson Green dropped his surname and became Frank Richardson. He joined the City of Birmingham Police Force on 21 August 1873.[12] He was stationed as a uniformed police officer at Moor Street Police Station, a central station in the heart of the city. The family lived in a court, a collection of houses forming a square and overlooking a courtyard, very characteristic of Birmingham city centre at this time. Birmingham in this period was controlled by gangs and was a violent city.[13] During his time in Birmingham, he worked closely with Detective (later Chief Superintendent) Gerard Van Helden[14] who was to become very well known later. Richardson was promoted to constable second class, in August 1874 which coincided with the birth of his second son Alfred Herbert Richardson (who was to become chief constable of Halifax). In March 1875 he was again promoted, to constable first class and in 1878 to sergeant. Promotion brought a move in accommodation to an improved location but still within the city centre. This was considered to be a very rapid rate of promotion.[15] In 1882, the City of Hereford advertised[16][17] for the office of superintendent of police and chief fire brigade officer. It was very unusual to have a post within the Constabulary which combined both police and fire chief. Richardson applied and went for his first interview in November of that year.[18] One week later after further selections[19] Richardson was offered the post.[20]

Hereford

Chief Constable of Hereford Frank Richardson in full dress uniform.

The Chief Constable's accommodation was a large one-storey house on its own grounds, known as Security Villa, DeLacey Street[21] within the City of Hereford Police Complex. This complex of buildings, built in the late 1880s, was very austere without the usual Victorian design extras. The complex also housed the fire station, the firemen's married accommodation, the single constables' accommodation, the police station, the magistrates' court and administration offices. The Hereford Police Station was a former gaol in Gaol Street, Hereford. It was built in 1841[22] and occupied the whole of the first floor of the building, the magistrates' court (which has a wide glass roof) and the court administration offices occupied the ground floor. The basement housed six cells, a restraining cell and police offices which were used when the court was sitting. A short staircase led from here to the witness box in the courtroom. Chief Constable Richardson in his new position had a large range of duties ranging from the licensing of hackney carriages to being inspector of contagious diseases and a requirement to always appear in uniform.[23]

City fire departments were in their infancy in 1883 and for an individual to lead both the police and fire departments was an innovation in Hereford. Soon after his arrival, he wrote to the Mayor of Hereford referring to the possible appointment of seven men as firemen.[24] Up until this time policemen carried out fire-fighting, and he wanted a new situation whereby if policemen arrived first at a fire, they would fight the fire but give way to the firemen when they arrived. The letter also suggests that both the police officers and the seven new firemen men should receive training as fire-fighters. This was agreed by the Watch Committee of Hereford City Council.[25] After further discussion, the seven fire fighters were integrated into the police force, using them as constables when there were no fires to be fought. Richardson also introduced a new grey uniform for the fire fighters.[26] A post boy was employed as a runner; one of his duties was to run to the Merton Meadows[27] or the Green Dragon Public House in Broad Street, Hereford, to collect two horses to pull a steam driven fire engine named the Nell Gwynne.[28] A charge of five pounds five shillings was made for attendance of the steam fire engine.[29] The fire station had a bell which was tolled to call the fireman out. The seven firemen each had houses in DeLacey Street and electric alarm bells were installed.[30] The Chief Constable also had an electric bell installed at Security Villa which alerted him of a fire. Also a horse and gig cart from the Security Villa's own small stable was made ready by a policeman. In later years, a taxi would automatically arrive at the front door, again, summoned by the duty police officer. Richardson took great pride in his creation. Apart from the grey uniform, red piping was later added, plus three sets of fire headgear, boots and axes[31] and a motto "Always Ready". In 1885 300 yards of canvas hose, couplings and stand pipes and a "telescopic fire escape" were added to the equipment.[25] This made the use of the old leather buckets obsolete.[32] He distributed hand-held "fire extinguishers", patented in 1868, to public and larger buildings. These contained about a gallon of water in a sealed glass container within a smaller metal canister. There was a weak point created at the top of the glass and the idea was to throw it on the fire where it would spray water.[32] In 1907 a severe fire broke out at Rotherwas House, a country gentleman's mansion with an historic chapel, just outside the city limits. Richardson broke the councils rules by rushing to the scene and prevented the blaze from spreading.[33] Horses pulled fire engines in Hereford until 1908 when a motorized unit was purchased. As a further refinement the 1912 "list of beats" for the city police showed that certain city centre night beats were designated "fire escape beats". These were the areas with a higher risk of fire and ensured a rapid response for the heart of the city. This arrangement continued until the 1930s.[34] The officers on the special beat list occupied a row of houses in DeLacy Street, adjacent to the police and fire stations.

It does underline the city police’s role as a dual law and order and fire-fighting organization, with Frank Richardson being in charge of both organizations. Like many Chief Constables, Richardson often acted a prosecutor at the magistrates' court, so he could be out fighting fires during the night and prosecuting in court the following day. A Report by the Chief Constable was published by the Magistrates Clerk from the Hereford Watch Committee on 2 September 1898 which went into great detail concerning the Licensing of premises in Hereford. The Annual Police Return for 1899 was presented by the Magistrates Clerk from the Hereford Watch Committee who read the contents as supplied by the Head Constable, Frank Richardson, at a Session following a speech by the Bishop of Hereford who was concerned about the number of licensed premises in the city and the serving of children.[35] A further report from the Hereford Watch Committee was published in 1899 concerning the Hereford Police Force from statistics supplied by the Chief Constable. This showed the force had thirty three officers at a cost of £1,744 from the local rates.[36] At this time he asked for an increase in salary, which was granted.[37] From 15 November 1899 until 10 May 1900 Frank Richardson was the Charging Officer in six cases which came to court. [38] He was also head of the Hereford St. John Ambulance brigade[39] and chairman of the Belmonty Football Club in Hereford.[40] During his time in office Frank Richardson made use of the Police Gazette, a police magazine sent weekly to senior police officers. [41] to publicize local cases in particular. An early example concerned a large amount of stolen goods. Another, the search for a male.[42] Like two of his sons, Ernest Frank Richardson, Chief Constable of Salisbury, Wiltshire and Alfred Herbert Richardson, Chief Constable of Halifax, Yorkshire, Frank Richardson liked horses and wanted to use them for policing and crowd control. After the success of a 1906 trial and usage with the Royal Family in Salisbury, a mounted section was created in 1911.[43]

An official photograph was taken of the whole of the Hereford Police Force in the police complex grounds in 1912 and printed in The Hereford Times under the heading "The gallant men who protect our lives and property". Also in 1912 Richardson was awarded the King's Police Coronation Medal at a ceremony in the Hereford Guildhall and presented by the Mayor of Hereford[44] and a full bench of magistrates.[45] A photograph taken in 1914 showing the Special Constable Unit[46] set up in preparation for the expected war with Germany. Richardson was in charge of them as well as his other duties.[47] During the War years these men proved invaluable in policing Hereford. In February 1917 The King awarded Police Medals and Frank Richardson was a recipient. The citation stated "Exceptional detective ability in serious cases of crime and admirable service as Chief of City Fire Brigade".[2] He went to Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 24 March 1917 to receive the award from the King.[48] [49] A special police operation took place in February 1918 when an ambulance train arrived at Hereford carrying many war wounded bound for hospitals in Shrewsbury, a town north of Hereford. The policing arrangements came under the personal direction of the Chief Constable.[50]

Photograph of Frank Richardson on a white horse outside the Hereford Police Station.

An official photograph of Richardson on a white horse in full dress uniform was taken outside the Hereford Police Station, Gaol Street, in 1919. This photograph was used in the local press and various publications which mentioned his career when he would retire at the end of the year.[51] He retired from his post on 30 December 1919.[52][53] His last official appearance in his position as Chief Constable of Hereford was appropriately enough in the court where he had presented many cases over the years on Friday 16 January 1920 when the mayor and city officials publicly thanked him for all his years of service. After a final bow to the court he, accompanied by his successor, Mr. Rawson, "addressed an unusually good muster of the city Police Force, who had formed up at the Parade Office at the Police Station."[54] A week earlier he had been presented with an illuminated address by the council and magistrates.[55] The city Fire Brigade held a separate presentation to their chief in the following week when he was reported to have made a long speech detailing the fires he had attended since 1883. He had also received a solid silver tea set from members of the Hereford City Police. During his time in office he had served three monarchs and over twenty mayors.

Family life

Richardson, born in the village of Upton St Leonards, Gloucestershire, progressed from the village school education to Greyfriars School in central Gloucester. Afterwards he became a businessman before entering the police force, firstly at Birmingham and later Hereford. He married Mary Taylor from Cheltenham in 1871. Their first son, Ernest Frank, was born in 1872 and he joined the Gloucester City Police in 1892 and in 1903 became the chief constable of Salisbury Wiltshire. Their second son, Alfred Herbert, joined the Birmingham City Police in 1891 and became the chief constable of Newcastle under Lyme in 1901 and later of Halifax, West Yorkshire. Their third child, James William, was born in 1886, and he became a businessman in Worcestershire, a police lieutenant in the South African Police Force, then a soldier and was killed in 1907 at Germiston, Johannesburg saving some Chinese mine workers.[56] Their third son, Harry Lionel, was the only son not to join a police force, he became the planning officer for a council in West Sussex. Their fourth son, Major Hubert, born in 1885, joined the City of Birmingham Police Force in 1904. He was stationed in the chief constable's office and rose to the rank of sergeant and stayed at that rank and in that location until he retired in 1938. Ralph Nelson was their fifth son, born in 1886, and he joined the South African Police Force and was killed in a skirmish in Florida, South Africa in 1907. He has a large monument dedicated to his bravery in the Braamfontein Cemetery.[57][58] Of their daughters, Alice was born in 1881 and became an assistant matron at Worcester Hospital, Worcestershire. Kate was born in 1891 and dedicated her life to looking after her father both at work and in his retirement. Gladys, born in 1894, became a businesswoman owning two milliners shops in central Wales.[59] Richardson's wife Mary died in childbirth in 1894.[60] He remarried in 1896[61] Mary Fanny Farr, a widow of a local hotel owner and businessman Charles Farr. She died in 1912.

On 20 January 1885, Frank Richardson Green had officially changed his name by Deed Poll.[62] This is confirmed in all instances outside of the police force by an insertion into Kellys Trade and Residents Directory of 1885.[63] They had re-affirmed their marriage a few days earlier.[64]

In 1900 Chief Constable Frank Richardson had become eligible for a police pension but was persuaded by the Hereford Watch Committee to stay in his post - which he did until 1920. He did however rent a house [65] in the village of his birth, Upton St Leonards, Gloucestershire in February 1899, later purchasing it in 1912.[66] A few years later he purchased the cottage in the village where he was born.[67] After his retirement it is thought he never returned to Hereford. In 1926 he visited Salisbury, Wiltshire, for the wedding of one of his granddaughters (daughter of his son Ernest Frank) Doris Richardson (1905–1990) to William Walker (1900–1969) [68] but not the wedding of another granddaughter Nora Trixie Richardson in 1933.[69] In 1931 he marked the occasion by having every member of the family at his (retirement)house and which the local press noted by writing : A long and honourable career in the Police Force is recalled by the celebrations of his 80th birthday on Oct 3rd by Mr. Frank Richardson, formerly Chief Constable of Hereford who since he left the city has been enjoying a well earned repose in the town of his birth Upton St Leonards in the neighbouring county of Gloucestershire. Mr. Richardson had been Chief Constable of Hereford for 37 years when he resigned towards the end of 1919. He served the city faithfully during that long period. Altogether Mr. Richardson served the Force nearly 50 years and at the time of his retirement was senior Chief Constable of England.[70] Normally in good health, he died unexpectedly in February 1938 at his home in Upton St Leonards.[71] His funeral and burial took place at the family grave site in Hereford cemetery with many family and relatives attending plus police and fire service representatives. The local newspapers printed an article about the funeral: Largely Attended Funeral of Former Hereford Police Chief. There was a large attendance of Police representatives and former associates at the funeral at Hereford on Friday afternoon of the late Mr. Frank Richardson, from 1862 to 1912 Chief Constable of Hereford, whose death at Upton St Leonards, Gloucestershire, was reported in last week's Hereford Times. Prior to the internment at the Hereford cemetery, a service was conducted in St Peters church by the Vicar (the Rev. G. Foster Carter.) The article then included a long list of mourners and wreaths.[72] He was buried with his first wife and youngest daughter who pre-deceased him.

Gallery

Links

References

  1. ↑ The King commanded a new decoration for long and meritorious service
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Honours Lists". Times (London, England: The Times Digital Archive) (41401): 6. 13 February 1917. Retrieved 19 October 2013. (subscription required (help)).
  3. ↑ Most Senior Chief Constable was a title given by the Chief Constables Association, at that time, by virtue of his length of service in that post- 34 years to date in Richardson's case.
  4. ↑ Newspaper, The Hereford Times, Oct 1931.
  5. ↑ Fire Service, Distributing hand held extinguishers, documented Hereford Museum. Steam driven Fire Appliances. Documented at Hereford Record Office. Fire Service uniforms and protective head gear, held at Hereford Museum. Motorized Fire Engine made by Dennis with turntable in 1908.
  6. ↑ He was to change his name later by dropping "Green". Deed Poll, dated 8 January 1886. Lodged at Somerset House, London. Viewed 1995.
  7. ↑ Census of England, Parish Upton St Leonards, The Portway. April 1851.
  8. ↑ City Police Intelligence, Complaint, Gloucester and Cheltenham Journal 24 April 1858
  9. ↑ James Green, gives Character reference, man accused of being drunk in the village, Gloucester and Cheltenham Journal 9 November 1867
  10. ↑ Details unknown but they renewed their vows in Cheltenham in 1885.
  11. ↑ Census of England 1871. Newtown View, Birmingham. 141. Page 15.
  12. ↑ Police Entrants Book. Frank Richardson, Warrant number 4810. Assigned to Division 4. Page 394. West Midlands Police Museum, Sparkhill, Birmingham, viewed 2012.
  13. ↑ Police Records book, page 349, West Midlands Police Museum, Sparkhill, Birmingham, viewed 2012.
  14. ↑ Van Helden, born in the Netherlands, was promoted very rapidly in the Birmingham Detective Office. He worked frequently with Frank Richardson on cases and later he became the mentor for Frank Richardson's second son Alfred Herbert Richardson when he joined the police in 1891. Van Helden died very suddenly, in office, in June 1901. Frank Richardson, along with four other chief constables attended his funeral with A.H.Richardson, now a detective inspector, acting as a pall bearer. Birmingham Daily Post, article "The Late Supt. Van Helden", 21 June 1901.
  15. ↑ Promotion Record, Frank Richardson, pages 394 and 349. West Midlands Police Museum Viewed 2012.
  16. ↑ City of Hereford, Schedule and Duties for post. Particulars. Richardson Private Family Archives.
  17. ↑ Watch Committee Notice, Records Page 191, dated 16 November 1882.
  18. ↑ Watch Committee Minutes, page 195. Meeting held at the Mansion House, Hereford, on 20 November 1882. Chairman and Mayor Mr. M. Scobie. Seven councilors present, 23 candidates were interviewed on this day. Physical characteristics of Frank Richardson recorded as, Well built. Height 5ft 10½ inches
  19. ↑ City of Hereford Watch Committee minutes, 20 November 1882, pages 195 and 196.
  20. ↑ Newspaper The Birmingham Daily Post. Article, "Presentation to a Police Sergeant". December 1882.
  21. ↑ Hereford City Council Valuation of all premises in 1901. Security Villa, number 5075.
  22. ↑ The history of the Hereford Police Station, www.heritage-explorer.co.uk. Viewed March 2014.
  23. ↑ Hereford City Records, Herefordshire County Record Office, Hereford.
  24. ↑ Richardson Private Family Archives.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Hereford City Council Records, County Record Office, Hereford.
  26. ↑ Examples held by the Hereford City Museum.
  27. ↑ Meadows are an area near the river in Hereford.
  28. ↑ Book, Policing Hereford and Leominster by G. Forrest and T. Hadley. Page 59. ASBN 0947731555.
  29. ↑ Pamphlet giving the scale of charges of the Fire Brigade. Hereford City Council Records, County Record Office, Hereford.
  30. ↑ Letter from Ted Hadley, whose father was a police/fireman. Later to co-write a book Policing Hereford and Leominster, G. Forrest and T Hadley. ISBN 0947731555.
  31. ↑ 1. Hereford City Museum, Broad Street, Hereford. 2. Newspaper article, Hereford Times. 1885
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Hereford City Museum, Broad Street, Hereford.
  33. ↑ This event brought much praise from the owner of Rotherwas and later the council to Richardson. The story leading up to the fire brigade's decision to tackle the blaze received much publicity at the time and the details were reprinted in a Hereford City exhibition of 2007.
  34. ↑ Hereford City Watch Committee records, County Record Office, Hereford.
  35. ↑ The Annual Police Return for 1899 was presented in September and submitted by the Magistrates Clerk. The population of Hereford at this time was 31,000 inhabitants and there was one licensed premises for every 103 persons, eight beer houses, six refreshment housekeepers, and four spirits and sweets. City Council Watch Committee, Mansion House, Hereford. Report published 2 September 1899. Viewed 19 January 2014.
  36. ↑ 1899 Report details: Licensed public houses numbered 125. Persons proceeded against for being drunk and disorderly was 142, down 46 from the previous year. Cost of the police force to the local rates was £1,744. which was a rate of 3s1d for each inhabitant. City Council Watch Committee, Mansion House, Hereford. Report published 10 September 1899. Viewed 19 January 2014.
  37. ↑ Salary increase, Watch Committee, recommended by the Mayor and Chairman, that the Chief Constable received an increase in salary by £50. per year from 24 March, last. (May 1899.) City Council Watch and Markets Committee, Mansion House, Hereford. Viewed 19 January 2014.
  38. ↑ Police Records. Volume, The Register of Charges. Volume viewed at Hereford Record Office, Hereford 2010.
  39. ↑ Book, Policing Hereford and Leominster by G. Forrest and T. Hadley. Page 52. ASBN 0947731555.
  40. ↑ Book, Policing Hereford and Leominster by G. Forrest and T. Hadley. Page 79. ASBN 0947731555.
  41. ↑ The Police Gazette was published each week from 1839. It was sent to all senior police officers from the Metropolitan Police Headquarters, New Scotland Yard, London and listed criminals sought and apprehensions, and during and after World War One, War Office matters i.e. Military and Naval Service deserters. On average some eight pages thick it was a way of passing on information, notices and photographs from one Constabulary to another http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police Gazette_UK
  42. ↑ 1) Stolen Goods. Article lists the goods stolen. The Police Gazette 22 March 1895. Vol. Xll Page 8. Viewed March 2014. 2) Search for a male. Detailed description. The Police Gazette, 6 July 1900. Vol. XVIII. Issue 1724. Viewed March 2014. 3) Warrant issued for a male, who has served in the Constabulary. The Police Gazette, 14 September 1900. Vol. XVII. Issue 1744. Viewed March 2014. Richardson continued to use the method all through his time at Hereford, including 4) Theft of clothing from a mans lodgings in Hereford city centre, The Police Gazette, No.47 Vol. V 11 June 1918. Viewed June 2014, 5) Warrant issued for arrest after the theft of a Sunbeam bicycle and clothing from Hereford, The Police Gazette, No. 49 Vol. V. Page 3. 18 June 1918. Ref, HIU.LD4. viewed June 2014.
  43. ↑ Book, Policing Hereford and Leominster by G. Forrest and T. Hadley. Page 11. ASBN 0947731555.
  44. ↑ Alderman E.L.Wallace.
  45. ↑ Article, Police Medal Presentation, Hereford Times, 3 August 1912.
  46. ↑ Chief Constables were advised by the Home Office, London, to recruit special constables at this time.
  47. ↑ All group photographs up until 1936 show that there were no female Constables in the Hereford Force.
  48. ↑ Article, King Decorates Hereford Police Chief Constable, it described the ceremony and citation and added: "This Royal act of duty faithfully performed and meritorious service rendered, is felt throughout the city to be richly deserved and afforded the Town council and Watch Committee much gratification". Hereford Times, 27 March 1917/
  49. ↑ Article, More Police Honours, Kings Medal presented to F. Richardson Chief Constable of Hereford. The Police Chronicle 16 February 1917. Viewed November 2014.
  50. ↑ Article, The Hereford Times, "More Wounded arrive at Hereford". 2 February 1918.
  51. ↑ A framed print (along with other Chief Constables) was in the entrance hall of the Hereford police station and later the new police station in the city between 1919 and 2012. The original was then added to the Richardson Family Archives in 2012.
  52. ↑ Hereford (City) Chief Constable. F. Richardson Esq. Appointed December 1882. Telephone number 1304. Police & Constabulary Forces Directory for 1919
  53. ↑ Chief Constables and Cities and Boroughs. Richardson. Major A.H. (Halifax, Yorks) Richardson, Frank, (Hereford), (Herefordshire) Richardson, Frank, (Salisbury) Wiltshire. Police and Constabulary Forces Directory, 1919.
  54. ↑ 1. Article, Herefords Chief Constable, Hereford Times, Saturday 17 January 1920. 2. Book, Policing Hereford and Leominster by G. Forrest and T. Hadley. 37 years under the command of Frank Richardson. Page 11. ASBN 0947731555.
  55. ↑ The Illuminated address was created to mark the special occasion and celebrate Richardson's achievements in office. It was a formal greeting beautifully written and decorated by hand. The word "illuminated" refers to the use of gold and silver and bright colours to light up the pages.
  56. ↑ Buried beside his brother Ralph Nelson Braamfontein Cemetery, Johannesburg. Johannesburg Public Library, Market Square, Letter to author, Confirmed article, Rand Daily Mail. July 1990. Johannesburg.
  57. ↑ Ralph Nelson. Monument in The Police Section, grave number 17807.
  58. ↑ Johannesburg Public Library, Market Square, letter to author, Confirmed article Rand Daily Mail. July 1990. Johannesburg.
  59. ↑ Private Richardson Archives, viewed 2013.
  60. ↑ Article, The death of Mrs. Frank Richardson, Hereford Times. 20 April 1894.
  61. ↑ Marriage Certificate 24 Sept 1896 at St Peters Church, Hereford to Mary Fanny Farr. Richardson Private Archives. Viewed 2012
  62. ↑ Deed Poll. Frank Richardson Green hereby wishes to be known as Frank Richardson. Signed, sealed and delivered by B. Bonner, Solicitor, Gloucester. London Record Office, Somerset House, London. Scroll, Green. Viewed 1990.
  63. ↑ Kellys Directory. City Police and Office. Frank Richardson, Head Constable, Gaol Street. Six Sergeants and twenty three Constables.
  64. ↑ Marriage, Frank Richardson Green to Mary nee Taylor, St John's Church, Cheltenham, certificate number 232.
  65. ↑ Security Villa, in Hereford, was considered by his children and grandchildren to be very austere. Electricity and a telephone were added in the late 1800's but very little else. His retirement house was equally without modern improvements. Personal letters and oral data from Grandchildren, Richardson Personal Archives, viewed 2010.
  66. ↑ Article, Property Sale in Gloucester, Gloucester Citizen February 1912.
  67. ↑ Conveyance Edmunds to Richardson dated November 1923, Richardson Private Family Archives.
  68. ↑ 1.Marriage certificate 485692, Sarum St. Edmunds, Salisbury, 22 September 1926. 2. Newspaper article, Police Truncheons form arch at wedding. The Salisbury Times. Viewed April 2004
  69. ↑ 1.Nora Trixie Richardson (1904–1973) to Robert Vincent.(1896–1977) Marriage by License, Salisbury Register Office,19 June 1933.2.Newspaper, marriage, Vincent-Richardson, The Salisbury Times 20 June 1933. Viewed Nov 2012.
  70. ↑ 1. Newspaper, article 80th Birthday of Ex-Chief Constable. The Hereford Times Oct 1931. 2. Newspaper, The Gloucester Echo Oct 1931. Viewed Nov 2013.
  71. ↑ 1. Hereford Times February 1938, 2. Gloucester Citizen February 1938. Viewed Nov 2013.
  72. ↑ Newspaper, The Hereford Times February 1938. Viewed Nov 2013.
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