Richard's birth was registered at Stockport and, at the time of the 1901 Census, the family was living in Bredbury. The Census records his father, William, as being then aged 36 and working as a house painter and decorater. His mother, Mary, was also 36. After the War, William & Mary were living at 4 Hyde Road, Woodley.

On 13 July 1916, the Battalion was making its way forward from billets at Gorre, prior to going into the front line to relieve another battalion, in the area of Givenchy. The scheduling of reliefs, on both sides, tended to be known to the enemy and it was a favourite time for artillery shelling of the positions. It seems that there was no exception this day and five members of the Battalion were killed.                                               

A memorial service at St Marks Church, Bredbury was held for Richard and two other members of the congregation on 1 August 1916.