WAR-TIME LEADER

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20523, 13 June 1938, Page 8

WAR-TIME LEADER

SIR GEORGE RICHARDSON SUDDEN DEATH AT HOME DISTINGUISHED CAREER ENDS (Special to Times.) AUCKLAND, Monday One of New Zealand's war-time military leaders and a former Administrator of Western Samoa, MajorGeneral Sir George Richardson died suddenly at his home at Remuera, on Saturday afternoon, aged 70. Sir George was, who was deputy-Mayor of Auckland, was in good health to the time of his death which was due to heart failure.

Sir George was born in England in November, 1868. At the age of 19 he enlisted as a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery at Woolwich. He came to New Zealand as an artillery Instructor in 1891. Before the end of his term he was regarded as indispensible, and the Defence Department retained him by obtaining repeated extensions from the authorities in England. In 1892 he had married a Wellington lady, Miss Caroline Warren. Later he was transferred to the New Zealand staff with the rank of captain and the title of director of artillery. This position he held until 1912, when he was sent to the Staff College, Camberley. He did so brilliantly there that after passing out he was attached to the Imperial General Staff at the War Office. Early in 1914, with the rank of major, he became New Zealand representative at the War Office. Activities In War In the outbreak of the war he was appointed chief of staff to General Paris, commanding the force of 25,000 men of the Royal Naval Division, which Mr Winston Churchill, as Secretary of State for the Navy, was responsible for sending to defend Antwerp. For his work with the expedition he was mentioned in despatches and was promoted to lieutenantcolonel. When Antwerp fell he returned to England and was sent for a short time to the French front. However, he was soon summoned back to assist in organising a Royal Naval Division for service in the contemplated expedition to the Dardanelles. He sailed with it as quarter-master general and took part in the landing at Cape Helles, where he served until the evacuation. After the Gallipoli campaign he was promoted to brigadier-general and awarded the C.M.G. He saw more service with the British Army at Salonika, until in 1916 he was recalled by the New Zealand Government to take command of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Great Britain and to act again as its representative at the War Office. During the remainder of the war he filled these posts with marked distinction. Work in Western Samoa On returning to New Zealand in 1919 Major-General Richardson brought with him numerous honours —C.B., C.M.G., C.8.E., the Legion of Honour and the Belgian Croix de Guerre. He was appointed general officer in charge of administration at General Headquarters, Wellington. In 1923 he was appointed Administrator of the Mandated Territory of Western Samoa, in succession to Colonel R. W. Tt.te. He was knighted in 1925 and returned to New Zealand in 1928. Sir Ger.rge took a keen interest -in the welfare of ex-soldiers, and for a time was president of the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association. In 1931 he was asked to stand for Parliament as Reform candidate for Auckland East, but decided not to enter politics. Sir George is survived by Lady Richardson and by three sons and two daughters.

FULL MILITARY HONOURB FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS (Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Monday At his funeral to-morrow full military honours will be accorded the late Major-General Sir George Richardson. In the last tributes the recognition of his long army service will be associated with the acknowledgment, of his valuable activities in civic and public life. It is expected to be one of the most largely-attended funerals to be held in Auckland. , Arrangements for the funeral are being made by Colonel 0. H. Mead, officer commanding the northern military district.

“WONDERFUL SERVICE ” PRIME MINISTER'S TRIBUTE (Special to Times) WELLINGTON. Monday lf Everybody will regret the news of the passing of Sir George Richardson,” said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, yesterday. “ All will agree that he gave wonderful service, not only on matters of defence and in the control of troops during the war, but also in the civil sphere as well. “ Any man who passes away leaving behind him the same monument of service will nnt have much to regret,” Mr Savage added. “ Sir George had a wide military experience and he came out of it with flying colours, loved by the men over whom he was called upon to serve. In the civil sphere, not only as Administrator of Samoa, but also in local body activities, he performed his duties with distinction, and I am sure that I am expressing the wish and feelings of the Government and people of New Zealand when I extend to Lady Richardson our sincere sympathy in her bereavement.”