Correctly named 2051 Pte R Race York R
Richard was born to Andrew and Mary in Pickering, Yorkshire in 1892.
Pre war he was a womans tailor.
He enlisted into the 5th Bn Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) in September 1914
His records show him to be posted to France in April 1915 and returned to the UK at the end of May 1915 to serve until August 1916 when medically discharged.
His records also include a doctors report as to the nature of his injuries and to why eventually he was discharged.
The report states Richard, whilst with the 5th Bn, was fighting with his regiment at the Battle of Hooge in July 1915.
It states Richard was hit by a shrapnel shell suffering wounding to his right shoulder and right knee, the same action saw him buried under sandbags for a while until recovered.
The wounds to his knee would eventually see him discharged.
He was awarded the Silver War Badge numbered 90033 (not present)
After his return to the UK he was attached to the 24th Provisional Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment.
Action at Hooge
On 19 July, the Germans held Hooge Chateau and the British the stables and no man’s land either side was 70–150 yd (64–137 m). Inside the German salient was a fortification under which the 175th Tunnelling Company had dug a gallery 190 ft long and charged a mine with 3,500 lb of ammonal but waterlogged ground required the explosives to be loaded upwards. The mine was sprung at 7PM and left a crater 120 ft wide and 20 ft which was rushed by two companied of the 8th Brigade, 3rd Division. No artillery-fire had been opened before the attack and the Germans were surprised as bombers of the 8th Brigade advanced 300 yd but then had to retire 200 yd (180 m) when they ran out of bombs. The trenches near the crater were consolidated and connected to the old front line, the 8th Brigade losing 75 casualties and taking 20 prisoners. On 22 July, the 3rd Division attacked east of the new line during the evening and the 14th (Light) Division attacked further north at Railway Wood but lacking surprise, both attacks failed.
It was on the 30th of July that the German Army first used flamethrowers in battle.
His address for release is given as 34 Moorland Road in Scarborough and is there in 1921 also and working again as a tailor.
He married Gladys Lowe in 1936.
By 1939, he was living with Gladys at 6 High Walk, Scarborough and is noted to be a tailor but incapacitated due to injuries from the War.
Richard died in 1967.
The medals all have original silk ribbons.