DONALD FREDERICK RICHER

Image from 1945 Evening Star Newspaper.

DON

Born: 12th January 1915, Ipswich.

Died: 17th September 1944; age: 29; aircraft crashed at the village of Libiole, Mantova on the bank of the River Po.

Residence: 17, Chenery Street, Ipswich.

Occupation: Committee Clerk – Town Clerk’s Department, Town Hall, Ipswich.

Rank: Flying Officer (Pilot); Service Number: 146987.

Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 142 Squadron.

Re-buried: 5th February 1946.

Grave Reference:

IV.F.5.

Padua War Cemetery,

Veneto,

Italy.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Arthur & Ellen Richer, of Ipswich.

Father: Arthur Richer, born March 1871, Ipswich.

Mother: Ellen Richer (nee Southgate), born June 1873, Great Finborough, Suffolk.

ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939

Donald was a Committee Clerk – Town Clerk’s Department. He was living with his parents at their family home – 17, Chenery Street, Ipswich.

Arthur, a Grain & Coal Warehouse Labourer.

Ellen, unpaid Domestic Duties.

Donald was educated at Northgate School, Ipswich; he was an active officer in the 8th Ipswich Boys’ Brigade.

Probate to Arthur Richer – father, a retired Corn Mill Foreman.

Donald is also remembered on the war memorial at the Town Hall, Ipswich.

17th September 1944

Aircraft – Wellington X Serial number – MF249-P failed to return from an attack on the Marshalling Yards at Brescia. The aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire causing it to crash at the village of Libiole, Mantova on the bank of the River Po.

Fellow Crew:

Frank Harrison; Sergeant; R.A.F.V.R.

Nolan Alexander Good; Flight Sergeant; age 21; R.N.Z.A.F.

Norman Frederick Nash; Sergeant; age 21; R.A.F.V.R.

William Harry Harper; Sergeant; age 32; R.A.F.V.R.

The bodies of Donald & William were recovered and buried at Padua War Cemetery. The others lost are commemorated on the Malta Memorial.