The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. E Richardson

Eric Richardson was born on 4th December 1912. He was educated at Scarborough Boys High School and joined the RAF in January 1929 as an Aircraft Apprentice. He passed out in December 1931 as a Fitter. He later applied for pilot training and was selected.

On 28th May 1940 Richardson arrived at 6 OTU Sutton Bridge and after converting to Hurricanes was posted to Hendon on 6th June for onward posting to France. On that day he joined 242 Squadron at Biggin Hill.

The squadron moved to France on the 8th, to help cover the retreat of British troops to the Atlantic ports. It was withdrawn on the 18th. Richardson flew back with no maps and, after running out of fuel, he landed on a beach near Minehead.

He claimed a Ju88 destroyed on 1st August and a Do17 on 9th September. Richardson was posted away from 242 on the 18th.

Commissioned in February 1941, he served with 258 Squadron and was awarded the DFC (gazetted 9th September 1941) as an Acting Flight Lieutenant.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented though Richardson stayed in the RAF postwar, retiring on 1st October 1958 as a Squadron Leader.

He died on 2nd September 1973.