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Sir George Richardson In a series to mark the centenary of World War I, in every issue this year THE HOBSON is publishing research conducted by Remuera Heritage into the stories behind local servicemen and women. Written by Remuera Heritage chair, Sue Cooper
G
eorge Spafford Richardson of Remuera was born in Northampton, England, in 1868. He had been a master gunner before migrating to New Zealand as a young man in 1891, becoming an instructor in gunnery in his new homeland. In April 1907, he was commissioned as a captain in the New Zealand Militia, and became chief instructor of artillery services. It was noted in 1909 that he was “the hardest worked officer in the service”. He rose rapidly through the dominion’s military forces, and was New Zealand’s representative on the Imperial General Staff at the War Office in London during WWI. Richardson went to France in mid-September 1914, and became part of the division's improvised headquarters staff during its brief, unsuccessful deployment in defence of Antwerp in early October. After narrowly avoiding being taken prisoner, he again served in France, before returning to Britain in November 1914, when he was confirmed as assistant adjutant and quartermaster general. From March to December 1915, the division took part in the Gallipoli campaign. Richardson was recognised with a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG), and promoted to deputy adjutant and quartermaster of XII Corps at Salonika, with the rank of brigadier general. In February 1916, the New Zealand government reclaimed Richardson's services. Characteristically, he put duty to his adopted home before his personal preference to remain in the field, where he had good prospects of advancement. He became New Zealand's military representative in London, as well as taking charge of the administration of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and commanding all New Zealand troops in the UK. Richardson quickly made himself indispensable, evolving a system of organisation for the NZEF in England. After the war ended, he relinquished his position in February 1919, and returned to New Zealand, where he took charge of administration at General Headquarters in Wellington. He chaired the Reconstruction Committee, which sought to re-establish a peacetime organisation for the defence forces, and sat on the Air Board. But, in indifferent health, he did not find peacetime soldiering satisfying. An offer to retire in 1920 was not accepted,
and he remained at his post until appointed administrator of Western Samoa, in February 1923. Shortly before taking up his duties, he was promoted to the rank of major general. He received many honours as well as the CMG, including a CB (Companion of the Order of the Bath, CBE (Commander of the British Empire) and in 1925, was knighted (KBE). On Richardson’s return to Auckland, he, wife Caroline and their five children lived in Remuera, at 20 Omahu Rd, on the corner of Platina St. He continued to work assiduously for returned servicemen, especially the disabled. He was president of the Auckland RSA, and in 1932, founder/patron of the Remuera Returned Soldiers Social Club. In May 1935 he entered local body politics as a member of the Auckland City Council; he was deputy mayor at the time of his sudden death aged 70 on 11 June 1938. A crowd of 2000 attended the funeral service of this unpretentious man, who never forgot his humble beginnings and who throughout his military career, at least, displayed a rare ability to engender confidence among his superiors and loyalty from those serving under him. A Poetic Postscript Much has been written about the last resting place of the British poet Rupert Brooke, who died two days before the Gallipoli landing, on the small Greek island of Skyros, where he was serving as an officer in the Royal Naval Division. “It is not generally known, however, that the beautiful site of the grave was chosen by the late Major-General Sir George Richardson, who at that time was a lieutenant-colonel on the staff of the division. Some years ago, in an address to the boys of the Auckland Grammar School, Sir George stated that the responsibility had been his. “I selected his grave on a little knoll under an olive tree,” he said, “and there he lies peacefully today”.” — The Evening Post, June 14, 1938 Sources for this story include The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (ed. Ian McGibbon), and Te Ara — The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, teara.govt.nz. For more information about this series and the work of Remuera Heritage, visit www. remueraheritage.org.nz
Major-General Sir George Richardson. Image: Alexander Turnbull Library
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