TRAGIC DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 62, 15 March 1938, Page 8

TRAGIC DEATH.

EX-COUNTESS* FATHER THROWN FROM HIS HORSE. KENNETH RICHARDS KILLED. .SYDNEY, March 12. Kenneth Richards, fathcx of Patricia Richards, first wife of the Earl of Jersey, was killed in a tragic manner at Cootnmundra. He was thrown from his horse Aid kicked in the head, death being insuuitaneous. Some time later the riderless animal was seen running in one of the homestead paddocks, at Cowcumbla. A search was made for Mr. Richards and his body was found. From the surrounding signs it appeared that he had been dragged for a distance before the horse had kicked itself free and galloped off. He was a rich and Well-known grazier. His hobby was racing, and even in his later years he had bred and raced bloodstock. His best wins of late years had been with Orange Bitters—Albury and Oundagai Cups—and with Thirloo— Cootanmndra Cup.

He waa married 26 years ago to the 20-year-old daughter of the late George Maiden, a Flemington auctioneer. Kenneth Richards was then about 11 years his bride's senior. They travelled extensively, and their daughter—the lovely Patricia—was born. He served during the war, and upon his return he and his wife and daughter lived at Potts Point before Mrs. Richards took Patricia to England to be "finished." It was intended that she should remain two or three years. She never came back. Early in 1932 Patricia became Countess of Jersey (she has since divorced the young Earl and married Mr. R. F. Wilson) and at the end of that year her father divorced her mother. Kenneth Richards remained a quiet, thoughtful, horse-ljving Australian all his life. Travel and high society had no appeal for him. He wanted the quiet life. l ' i Not so Mrs. Richards and the vivacious Patricia.

"She was extravagant, I must sav," he mused in December, 1932, when "he divorced his wife.