US Army Private Arthur Richardson was born in Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida on March 24, 1924, the son of George Richardson (1896-) and Ella Richardson (1900-1983). Little is known about his father except that he and the family were living in Molino in 1920 where he was working as a laborer for the brickyard. He and Ella were married around 1917 and he either passed away between 1920-1925 or they split up. Ella would remarry around 1925 to William "Pink" Thomas (1896-) and by 1935 they were living at 412 North Devilliers Street where he supported them as a laborer in a coal yard.
In 1935, they were living at 1206 North "C" Street and by 1940 they were renting a house at 815 West Gadsden Street for $8.00 per month. At the time, Will was working as a laborer for a building construction company while Ella was a laundress for a private home. Will is never mentioned again after 1940.
As far as Arthur is concerned he enlisted on June 1, 1943, and was sent to Camp Blanding, Florida for processing and orientation. At the time of his enlistment, he listed himself as single with prior civilian experience as a semiskilled routeman. Upon completion of his basic training, he was assigned to the 1911th Ordnance Ammunition Company (Aviation). From this point on his military career becomes sketchy at best. We believe the unit was stationed in Europe and was verified to be in Germany in 1945 but its exact location in 1944 is unknown.
We do know that he died in service on August 26, 1944, and his death is listed as "DNB or Death Non-Battle). This type of death is non-combat related and ranges from disease to accidents. His headstone application states his remains were "returned to the US," most likely in 1948. He was buried in the Cedartown Cemetery in the community of Molino. A search of the cemetery did not locate the gravesite.
Military Registration Card 1942
Comments