WW2 100 - 6 September 1943 - 'At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember him': Marine John Philip Richards, Royal Marines (1924-43)
Continued from 8 August 1943 SERGEANT CHARLES PHILIP SOUTHCOTT (1914-43) RAFVR, 61 Squadron https://budleighpastandpresent.blogspot.com/2021/01/ww2-75-8-august-1943-thundering-through.html The grave of John Philip Richards in St Peter’s Burial Ground Image credit: www.findagrave.com Google the words 'friendly fire' and you can’t fail to be horrified by the list of incidents in warfare where forces have been accidentally attacked by those on the same side. I was saddened by the case of Royal Marine Lt James Ayers Bayley, killed on a firing range while on a training exercise organised by Dalditch Camp. You can read about him here Such incidents often remain unknown for many years, as do the cases of self-inflicted death or injury. The immense research conducted by historian Don Kindell into naval casualties includes simply the acronym DOWS next to John’s name, noting him as a Marine of the Plymouth...