William Richardson was the son of Samuel and Annie Richardson; and husband of Phyllis Maisie Richardson, of Cattedown, Plymouth.He was enlisted into the Royal Armoured Corps prior to volunteering for airborne forces.

Pte Richardson qualified as a military parachutist on course 93, which ran at RAF Ringway from 29 November to 13 December 1943. The course notes record that he was: 'Good. Keen but lacking a little in control.'

He subsequently served with C Coy, 8th Para Battalion.

Pte Richardson died on 6 June 1944 and is now buried at Watchfield Cemetery, Oxfordshire, UK.

Headstone photograph courtesy of Major James Brudenell.