Francis Arthur Richards – Royal Naval Reserve, H.M.P.M.S. Ascot

 Leading Trimmer Francis Arthur Richards – Royal Naval Reserve, H.M.P.M.S. Ascot

One of the most prominent names commemorated on the Mumbles War Memorial is that of Francis Arthur Richards.

Early Life and Family Background

James Richards and Mary Gibbs
marriage certificate
All Saints’ Church, Oystermouth

Francis Arthur Richards was born in 1882 at Oystermouth, the son of James Richards and Mary Gibbs, who were married at All Saints’ Church, Oystermouth, in 1882. Mary was unable to sign the marriage register and therefore marked it with an “X”.

1891 Census

At the time of the 1891 Census, the family were living at Wordland Place, Oystermouth. Francis’s father, James Richards, aged 40 and born in Devon, was employed as a coachman and gardener (domestic servant). His wife Mary, aged 39, was born in Port Eynon.

Their children, recorded using initials, were E. A. D. (11), F. A. (9), E. M. (7), and J. A. (4), all attending school, along with B. N. (1).

1901 Census

By the 1901 Census, the family had moved to Westbourne Place, Oystermouth. James Richards, now aged 50, was employed as a domestic coachman and was recorded as widowed.

The children listed were Annie (21), Arthur (19), employed as a railway porter, Edith (17), a general servant, Archibald (15), a gardener, William (11), Fred K. (9), and Ernest (6).

1911 Census

By the time of the 1911 Census, Francis Arthur Richards had established his own household at 2 Whitestone Cottages, Newton. Aged 29, he was employed as a tramway brake examiner.

His wife, Amy Mildred Richards (née Croom), aged 28, was born in London. The couple had one child, their daughter Hilda, who was under one year old.

Naval Service

Francis enlisted in the Royal Naval Reserve, serving as a Leading Trimmer, a vital role aboard steam-powered vessels responsible for maintaining boiler fires and ensuring sufficient steam was available for propulsion and auxiliary machinery.

H.M.P.M.S. Ascot and the Loss of the Ship

H.M.P.M.S. Ascot 

H.M.P.M.S. Ascot was a paddle minesweeper of the Royal Navy, originally built as a civilian passenger steamer before being requisitioned and converted for naval service during the First World War. Paddle steamers such as Ascot were well suited to minesweeping duties due to their shallow draught, manoeuvrability, and powerful engines, allowing them to operate effectively in coastal and estuarial waters.

Throughout the war, Ascot served primarily in home waters, undertaking the dangerous tasks of clearing naval mines, escorting vessels, and patrolling against enemy submarine activity. Minesweeping was among the most hazardous naval roles, carried out in all weather conditions and under constant threat from mines and submarines.

On 10^th November 1918, one day before the Armistice, Ascot was operating in the Bristol Channel when she was torpedoed by the German submarine UB-67. The attack caused catastrophic damage, and the vessel sank rapidly. Despite rescue efforts, a number of officers and men lost their lives, including Leading Trimmer Francis Arthur Richards. Many of those who perished had no known grave, their bodies lost at sea.

The sinking of Ascot is historically significant, as she is recognised as the last British ship to be sunk by enemy action during the First World War, marking a tragic final loss of life at sea in the closing hours of the conflict.

Death and Commemoration

British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records 

The British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records confirm the death of Francis Arthur Richards and record his widow Amy Richards, whose address was listed as 6 Port Eynon Terrace, Newton.

Francis Arthur Richards
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon
credit - findagrave

Francis Arthur Richards is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon, which honours members of the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Reserve who have no known grave.