Walter Richardson

November 23, 2016

Admitted to: POW. French Hospital, Nancy. RAF Hospital Wroughton (23/09/44). RAF Hospital Ely (30/09/44).		Date of Injury: 04/05/1944
D.O.B/Age when admitted: 23		Cause of Incident: Enemy Action. Shot down by anti-aircraft fire in a Lancaster over enemy territory, bailed out.
Transferred to QVH: 31/10/1944		Injuries: Burns to face and hand. Amputated right hand.
No. of Operations at East Grinstead: 20

IDENTITY CARD

This is to certify that the patient mentioned below and whose description is stated hereon is the authorised holder of this Identity card.

Forename: Walter			Surname: Richardson
Service No: 1378437			Nationality: British

Awards/Honours: ---			Patient Unit: RAF Skellingthorpe
Profession: Wireless Op/Air Gunner.			Patient Rank: Sgt

Death: 16/05/1996			Age at Death: 73yrs
Dr Rank:			Dr Unit:

Notes:

Known as 'Dickie'.

While flying over France, Richardson's plane was badly damaged by flak, and the crew bailed out. Richardson was the only survivor, badly burnt, and was taken as a prisoner of war. One hand was amputated and an eye removed; his remaining eye was blind, and his hand badly burnt and neglected.

Glossary:

Further Reading:

The Guinea Pig Club' By Edward Bishop.
'McIndoe's Army' By Edward Bishop.
'Guinea Pigs on Parade', The Guinea Pig, Summer 1968, pp. 18-21.
'His Guardian Angel Wasn't Looking', Mike Pryce, The Guinea Pig, New Year 1983, pp. 14-5. (extract from Worcester Evening News and Times)

References:

'W. (Dickie) Richardson', The Guinea Pig, January 1997, pp. 2-3.
'Some Memories of Dickie Richardson', Kitty Hutchinson, The Guinea Pig, July 1997, pp. 4-5.

East Grinstead Museum Collection:
EGRTM 2751.117 - Portrait photograph of Richardson in front of a window