William Henry Richter was born on 4 February 1898, the son of Joseph Richter (1863-1937) and Alice Richter née Griffin (1864-1923). His birth was registered in the 1st quarter of 1898 in the Marylebone registration district, London.
In the 1901 census he shown aged 3 years, living in a baker's shop at 29 Homer Row, Marylebone, with his parents and two sisters: Helena May Richter (1896-1970) and Dorothea Augusta Richter (1900-1924), together with two male journeymen bakers and a female domestic servant. His father was described as a bread & biscuit baker.
When his father completed his 1911 census return form, he was shown as aged 13 years and at school, living in a 7 roomed property at 29 Homer Row, Marylebone, with his parents, his two sisters who were also described as being at school, together with a male baker employee and a female general domestic servant. His father described himself as a baker.
On 29 May 1914 he was employed as a booking clerk by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway. He was initially based at East Brixton railway station, Barrington Road, London, SW9 and was paid 10 shillings per week. This was increased to 12 shillings per week from 1 June 1915. On 13 July 1915 he was transferred to Brockley railway station, Coulgate Street, London, SE4. He was again transferred on 6 December 1915 to Denmark Hill railway station, London, SE5. On 12 February 1916 he was transferred to Balham railway station, Station Road, London, SW12.
On 1 March 1916 he enlisted as Private in the 8th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Post Office Rifles), service number 374943, a Territorial Force regiment, and placed in the Army Reserve on home defence duties. He gave his address as 23 Molyneux Street, Marylebone, giving his occupation as a clerk (railway). He continued to work for the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway and on 1 June 1916 his wage was increased to 14 shillings per week.
He resigned on 23 February 1917 from the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway and was mobilised on 27 February 1917 and entered France on 31 May 1917. He was transferred to the 4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, service number 235189, on 23 June 1917 and was posted to the regiment's15th Battalion on 24 June 1917.
He was killed in action, aged 19 years, on 27 July 1917 and his body was buried in Row B, Grave 14, in the Dragoon Camp Cemetery, Kleine Poezelstraat, 8904 Ieper, Belgium.
By 4 December 1917 his army effects totalling £2-5s-7d had been sent to his father who was also sent his £3-0s-0d war gratuity on 3 December 1919. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal and these were sent to his father on 7 July 1922.
He is shown as RICHTER. W.H. PTE. WELSH.FUS. on the Quebec Chapel war memorial at the Church of The Annunciation, Bryanston Street, London, W1H 7AH. He is also commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website, on the Imperial War Museum's Live of the First World War website and on the London WW1 Memorial website.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
