Richard was born in Caernarvon, North Wales and when he enlisted had been working as an electrician on Anglesey. He joined the Royal Flying Corps on 1 Mar 1917 and transferred to the Royal Air Force when it was created on 1 Apr 1918. On 30 May 1918 he was posted to the newly formed 253 Squadron based at Bembridge on the Isle of Wight, flying coastal reconnaissance and anti-submarine patrols. At the start of January 1919 he qualified at an AC2/Electrician. Richard married Isobel Love on 1 Jun 1920, having met her during the war in Bembridge. A year later he came out of the RAF and moved to live on the Island.
His RAF enlistment form described him as 5' 8" tall with brown hair and grey eyes, with a fresh complexion.
He was known as "Taffy Ward" to his footballing pals and played centre half for both Sandown and Bembridge as well as representing the Isle of Wight in the County side. Until shortly before his death he was an active freemason along with a number of other Island Auxiliers. He was also active in Scouting, being Secretary to the South East Wight Association after the World War Two.
He became director of Alexander Sharp & Co Timber Merchants, having spent his life in the building trade.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandown Patrol | Patrol member | 14 Aug 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
Timber merchant manager
His obituary mentioned his service with 203 Battalion Home Guard, but contained no other details about this.