Charles Leslie Richardson

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Sir

Charles Leslie Richardson
Lieutenant General Charles Richardson in 1962
Born(1908-08-11)11 August 1908
Guernsey
Died7 February 1994(1994-02-07) (aged 85)
Redhill, Surrey, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchBritish Army
Years of service1928–1971
RankGeneral
Service number40407
UnitRoyal Engineers
Commands heldNorthern Command
Singapore District
Royal Military College of Science
61st Infantry Brigade
Battles/wars
Awards
Officer of the Legion of Merit
(US)

Second World War
and reached high office in the 1950s.

A 1928 graduate of the

US Fifth Army in the Italian campaign, and with that of the 21st Army Group in the campaign in North West Europe
in 1944–1945.

After the war Richardson was with the British

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command and in 1965 the Quartermaster-General to the Forces. His final appointment was as Master-General of the Ordnance in 1966 before he retired in 1971. He was Chief Royal Engineer
from 1972 to 1977.

Early life

Charles Leslie Richardson was born in Guernsey on 11 August 1908, the oldest child and only son of Charles William Richardson, a Royal Artillery officer, and his wife, Eveline Adah née Wingrove.[1] He had a younger sister. While his father was stationed in Mauritius, his mother and the two children lived in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and he became fluent in French.[2] His early education was at St Ronan's School,[3][4] and when he left in 1922 he was awarded a scholarship to Wellington College, Berkshire.[5]

Richardson then entered the

first-class honours degree in engineering in the Mathematical Tripos.[8]

India

After graduating from Cambridge in 1931, Richardson was seconded to the

pigsticking, shooting sandgrouse, and horse riding.[9] Richardson then became the garrison engineer in Nasirabad, where he attempted, unsuccessfully, to improve the water supply, and was in charge of improvements to the officers' bungalows there.[10] In 1933 he returned to duty with the Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners in Quetta.[11]

After leave in Britain, he returned to India as second in command of a field company in Kirkee. He was assigned to command a detachment of thirty sappers to

Simla for the staff college examination.[14]

Second World War

Richardson returned to the United Kingdom in 1938, and became the assistant adjutant of the Royal Engineers training battalion at Chatham.

Phony War period it constructed fortifications along the border between France and Belgium.[16]

In January 1940, Richardson was sent to the

Deputy Assistant Adjutant General (DAAG), the staff officer responsible for personnel.[17] After the Germans attacked on 10 May, the 4th Division became involved first in the advance in Belgium, and then in the retreat that culminated in the Dunkirk evacuation.[18]

On 30 August 1940, Richardson boarded the battleship HMS Valiant, bound for the Middle East. He arrived at his destination, the Staff College, Haifa, in Palestine, where Dorman-Smith was the commandant and Freddie de Guingand was the chief instructor. Richardson was the only member of the faculty who had seen action in the war thus far, but he confessed that what had been learned thus far had been what not to do. He taught classes on logistics; his students included Captains Michael Carver and Geoffrey Baker.[19]

Special Operations Executive

After nine months at the Staff College, Richardson expected to be assigned to an operational unit. Instead, he was posted to Cairo as the General Staff Officer, Grade 1 (GSO 1) for Operations with the Special Operations Executive (SOE),[20] although he lacked experience in clandestine operations and military intelligence. In a letter home he wrote: "I am surrounded by mountebanks: the place is a madhouse, but there are no dull moments."[21] A fundamental problem was that MI6, whose role was intelligence collection, wanted to conduct its business quietly, whereas SOE, engaged in sabotage, welcomed publicity, as it encouraged the resistance.[22]

SOE worked in cooperation with the

Air Vice Marshal Philip Wigglesworth over this, Wigglesworth attempted to have him sacked, but Richardson's superior, Lieutenant Colonel Terence Airey supported him. Richardson conducted one covert operation himself, travelling to Turkey in civilian clothes to deliver three radio sets to British agents.[23]

Eighth Army

On 25 June 1942, Richardson became the (GSO 1) for the Plans at

Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery.[27]

Richardson played a significant role in the

Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily, and Richardson succeeded him as BGS, with the rank of brigadier.[32] "In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East", Richardson was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.[33] When the Eighth Army staff was reunited for Operation Husky, de Guingand resumed as chief of staff and Richardson became BGS (Ops).[34][35]

Fifth Army

For the

British X Corps. A small British increment was therefore added to Fifth Army headquarters, and Richardson was nominated to lead it.[36] Montgomery wrote him a personal letter:

You have been a member of our staff for a very long time and you will be greatly missed. But when appealed to by the Americans we had to send our best, and you are very much wanted in that show. I do not like the way things are shaping up in that "party"!![35]

Richardson had reservations about Clark's fitness to command, but he soon came to appreciate the talent of his chief of staff, Major General

Battle of Salerno, the critical situation raised memories of Dunkirk, and Richardson prepared contingency plans for an evacuation, which were not needed.[37] He remained with the Fifth Army through the Bernhardt Line fighting, the Battle of Monte Cassino and the Battle of Anzio. For his service, he was awarded the American Legion of Merit.[38][39]

21st Army Group

On 1 April 1944, Richardson joined the staff of the

mentioned in despatches and advanced to Commander in the Order of the British Empire.[44][45][46]

Post-war

After the war in Europe ended, Richardson served as military assistant to the Deputy Military Governor of the

British Zone, General Sir Ronald Weeks. In July 1945, he became the chief of the British military division of the quadripartite Control Commission that governed Berlin.[47] He spent two days observing the Nuremberg trials of German war criminals.[48] A ruptured Achilles tendon ended his tenure in Berlin, and after a prolonged stay in hospital he joined Rear-Admiral Charles Lambe and Air Vice Marshal Edmund Hudleston in writing British Strategy 1946–61, a forecast of size and shape of the defence forces in the quarter century to come, taking into account anticipated advances in technology, particularly nuclear weapons.[49]

On 10 May 1947, Richardson married Audrey Elizabeth Styles, the widow of an RAF officer,

Middle East Land Forces from May 1948 to November 1950,[7][50] and in the UK as Brigadier A/Q on the staff of Western Command from January 1952 to April 1953.[50] He then become the commander of the 61st Infantry Brigade, the infantry brigade of the 6th Armoured Division from June 1953 to 11 April 1955.[50][51] Since his experience in command was limited, he relied heavily on his brigade major, Major Ian Gill, who had commanded an armoured squadron in action, and Gill's successor, Major Michael Gow, who had served with him in Berlin.[49][50]

Richardson was appointed Commandant of the

aide de camp to the queen from 1967 to 1970, colonel commandant of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps from 1967 to 1971, and Chief Royal Engineer from 1972 to 1977.[1][63] He retired from the Army on 6 April 1971.[64]

Later life

In retirement, Richardson lived in

Betchworth, Surrey, where he worked as a consultant to International Computers Limited from 1971 to 1976. He was the treasurer of the Kitchener National Memorial Fund from 1971 to 1981, and the chairman of the Gordon Boys' School from 1977 to 1987. He wrote three books: an autobiography, Flashback (1985); a biography of de Guingand, Send for Freddie (1987); and one of Ian Jacob, From Churchill's Secret Circle to the B.B.C. (1991).[1]

Richardson died from a

heart attack at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill, Surrey, on 7 February 1994. A memorial service was held in the chapel of the Royal Hospital Chelsea on 27 April 1994.[1] His banner as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath hangs in St Michael's Church in Betchworth.[65]

Dates of rank

Second lieutenant Lieutenant Captain Major Lieutenant-Colonel
30 August 1928[7] 30 August 1931[66] 1 August 1938[67]
  • 27 April 1940 (acting)[7] 27 July 1940 (temporary)[7]
  • 27 December 1940[7]
  • 27 September 1941 (acting)[7]
  • 27 December 1941 (temporary)[7]
  • 1 November 1943[7]
Colonel Brigadier
Major-general
Lieutenant-general General
  • 1 May 1943 (acting)[7]
  • 1 November 1943 (temporary)[7]
  • 11 August 1949[68]
  • 1 May 1943 (acting)[7]
  • 1 November 1943 (temporary)[7]
  • 1 January 1955[69]
  • 18 May 1955 (temporary)[70]
  • 24 April 1956[71]
 27 February 1961[72]
  • 20 January 1965 (local)[73]
  • 21 September 1965[74]

Bibliography

Notes

  1. ^
    doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/55339. (Subscription or UK public library membership
    required.)
  2. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 13–14.
  3. ^ "St. Ronan's School". Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  4. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 17–18.
  5. ^ Richardson 1985, p. 18.
  6. ^ Richardson 1985, p. 19.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Houterman, Hans; Koppes, Jeroen. "British Army Officers 1939–1945". unithistories.com. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  8. ^ Richardson 1985, p. 20.
  9. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 22–26.
  10. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 26–31.
  11. ^ Richardson 1985, p. 33.
  12. ^ Richardson 1985, p. 38.
  13. ^ Richardson 1985, p. 45.
  14. ^ Richardson 1985, p. 46.
  15. ^ Richardson 1985, p. 49.
  16. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 51–53.
  17. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 56–57.
  18. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 66–71.
  19. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 72–77.
  20. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 81–82.
  21. ^ Richardson 1985, p. 84.
  22. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 84–85.
  23. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 88–95.
  24. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 97–98.
  25. ^ Richardson 1987, p. 67.
  26. ^ De Guingand 1947, pp. 127, 130–133.
  27. ^ Mead 2015, p. 47.
  28. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 115–117.
  29. ^ "No. 35908". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 16 February 1943. p. 859.
  30. ^ Mead 2015, pp. 81–82.
  31. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 129–130.
  32. ^ Mead 2015, p. 98.
  33. ^ "No. 36037". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 28 May 1943. p. 2517.
  34. ^ Mead 2015, p. 105.
  35. ^ a b Richardson 1985, p. 155.
  36. ^ a b Richardson 1985, pp. 157–160.
  37. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 162–163.
  38. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 166–169.
  39. ^ "No. 36983". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 13 March 1945. p. 1428.
  40. ^ a b c Richardson 1985, pp. 170–174.
  41. ^ Mead 2015, pp. 134–135.
  42. ^ Mead 2015, pp. 163–164.
  43. ^ Richardson 1985, p. 189.
  44. ^ "No. 37138". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 19 June 1945. p. 3217.
  45. ^ "No. 36994". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 20 March 1945. p. 1553.
  46. ^ "No. 37072". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 8 May 1945. p. 2459.
  47. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 196–199.
  48. ^ Richardson 1985, pp. 205–207.
  49. ^ a b c d Richardson 1985, pp. 211–213.
  50. ^ a b c d e "Senior Army Appointments: 1860–" (PDF). www.gulabin.com. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  51. ^ "No. 40571". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 26 August 1955. p. 4927.
  52. ^ "No. 40503". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 7 June 1955. p. 3311.
  53. ^ Richardson 1985, p. 212.
  54. ^ "No. 41373". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 25 April 1958. p. 2673.
  55. ^ "No. 41959". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 16 February 1960. p. 1287.
  56. ^ "No. 42965". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 9 April 1963. p. 3237.
  57. ^ "No. 42970". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 16 April 1963. p. 3369.
  58. ^ "No. 43503". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 27 November 1964. p. 10231.
  59. ^ "No. 43555". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 22 January 1965. p. 791.
  60. ^ "No. 44196". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 9 December 1966. p. 13461.
  61. ^ "No. 42552". The London Gazette. 29 December 1961. p. 3.
  62. ^ "No. 44210". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 30 December 1966. p. 2.
  63. ^ "No. 47376". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 15 November 1977. p. 14320.
  64. ^ "No. 45337". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 5 April 1971. p. 3336.
  65. ^ "St Michael's Church, Betchworth". Archived from the original on 23 October 2013.
  66. ^ "No. 33749". The London Gazette. 1 September 1931. p. 5692.
  67. ^ "No. 34538". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 5 August 1938. p. 5029.
  68. ^ "No. 38792". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 27 December 1949. p. 6133.
  69. ^ "No. 40686". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 13 January 1956. p. 355.
  70. ^ "No. 40503". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 7 June 1955. p. 3311.
  71. ^ "No. 40763". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 24 April 1956. p. 2455.
  72. ^ "No. 42325". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 11 April 1961. p. 2719.
  73. ^ "No. 43555". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 22 January 1965. p. 791.
  74. ^ "No. 43785". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 8 October 1965. p. 9469.

References

Further reading
Military offices
Preceded by Commandant of the Royal Military College of Science
1955−1958 		Succeeded by
Preceded by GOC-in-C Northern Command
1963–1964 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Quartermaster-General to the Forces
1965–1966 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Master-General of the Ordnance
1966–1971 		Succeeded by
Honorary titles
Preceded by Chief Royal Engineer
1972–1977 		Succeeded by
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