LEATHERHEAD WAR MEMORIALS - WWII
Rifleman Richard Charles North
1 Bn Rifle Brigade
Town Memorial World War II
RICHARD CHARLES NORTH
Service Number: 6923417
Rifle Brigade
1st Bn.
Died 2 August 1944
Age 22 years old
Buried at
BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY
XV. L. 8.
France
Son of Thomas Charles and Gertrude Mary North, of Leatherhead, Surrey.
Personal Inscription
AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING WE WILL REMEMBER HIM
Surrey Advertiser
Saturday 26 August 1944
“DID HIS JOB BRAVELY”
Mr. and Mrs. T. C. North, of 165, Kingston Road, Leatherhead, has been notified that their son, Pte. Richard Charles North, was killed in action in August in North-West Europe. Pte. North, who was 22, joined the Army three years ago, served with the Eighth Army in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy, returned six months ago, and took part in the invasion on D-Day. His commanding officer has written to his parents; “Your son was highly popular with his comrades. He was doing his job bravely when he was hit.” Mr. and Mrs North, who have lived in Leatherhead for 30 years, have three surviving sons. The eldest, William, unable to join the Forces, is in a factory. Pte. Cecil North is serving in India, and the youngest, John, is in France.
Mr. and Mrs. T. C. North, of 165, Kingston Road, Leatherhead, has been notified that their son, Pte. Richard Charles North, was killed in action in August in North-West Europe. Pte. North, who was 22, joined the Army three years ago, served with the Eighth Army in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy, returned six months ago, and took part in the invasion on D-Day. His commanding officer has written to his parents; “Your son was highly popular with his comrades. He was doing his job bravely when he was hit.” Mr. and Mrs North, who have lived in Leatherhead for 30 years, have three surviving sons. The eldest, William, unable to join the Forces, is in a factory. Pte. Cecil North is serving in India, and the youngest, John, is in France.
History of 1 Bn Rifle Brigade 1944, from the Rifle Brigade Chronicle of 1944
On the 30th July we found ourselves back
again in Ellon and delighted to be back among the green and fertile
pastures of the Bocage country.
But it was not to last for long, for on
the 1st August we returned to 30 Corps and were on the move again in the
direction of Villers-Bocage and Aunay-sur-Odon. ..... For the next two
days the motor companies were fully occupied with their armoured
regiments pushing forward in difficult country against determined enemy
rearguards. Aunay itself had been bombed completely and utterly flat
with the sole exception of the church-tower, which still stood an erect
and gloomy sentinel over the devastation.
His life - some information is still to be found.
Richard North's birth was registered in January 1922 at Epsom.His father was Thomas Charles North born 30 May 1887 [information on his parents tbf]
His mother was Gertrude Mary Clarke born 26 December 1884 [information on her parents tbf]
Information on their marriage - to be found.
He had at least two sisters ...
Gladys Louise born 29 January 1913 when the family were living in Danes Hill Farm Cottage, Oxshott, Surrey: she was baptised on 16 March 1913 at St Andrew's, Oxshott
Constance Mary born abt 1914
... and at least three brothers:
William Charles born 1916
Cecil J
John H
Where his parents lived in his lifetime can be followed via the Electoral Registers:
1918-22: 2 White Cottages Kingston Road
Leatherhead, Surrey
1923-34: 139 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey
1935-39: 165 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey
1923-34: 139 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey
1935-39: 165 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey
After the war
His father continued living at 165 Kingston Road, Leatherhead until at least 1953. Information on his and Gertrude North's whereabouts 1954 onwards and on their deaths tbf.Richard North is remembered on these memorials
Leatherhead Town Memorial
Leatherhead RBL Roll of Honour, Leatherhead Parish Church
the website editor would like to add
further information on this casualty
e.g. a photo of him, his headstone, and any recollections of him
last updated 26 Aug 20