Richard John Andrews

Richard John Andrews (8 December 1876 – 16 January 1923) was a British Army officer. After a brief career as a poulterer he enlisted in the 128th Company (Westminster Dragoons) of the Imperial Yeomanry for service in the Second Boer War (1899–1902), during which he was appointed lance sergeant. Andrews afterwards emigrated to Chile where he worked as a civil engineer for the Antofagasta and Bolivia Railway and claimed to have served as a captain in the Chilean Army. Andrews returned to Britain in 1915 and volunteered to join the British Army for service in the First World War. He enlisted in the 14th (London Scottish) Battalion of the London Regiment and reached the rank of sergeant. Andrews reverted to private upon transferring to the 1st (City of London) Battalion but in July 1915 had reached the rank of corporal by 19 March 1916 when he was selected for a commission and became a second lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment.

Andrews received the Military Cross in August 1916 and later that year was selected as one of the first men to attend the Senior Officers' School. After completing the course he was transferred to the 18th battalion of the Welsh Regiment. Andrews was commended by his brigade commander, Frank Percy Crozier for leading his battalion to capture Welsh Ridge, near Cambrai, on 24 April. Andrews was appointed to the Distinguished Service Order for actions two weeks later at La Vacquerie when he thwarted a German attack in the aftermath of a mine detonation. He was wounded in action in November 1917 at Bourlon Wood. Andrews returned to the frontline in the later stage of the war and led the 13th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment in the Hundred Days Offensive.

Andrews appeared to suffer a breakdown in the post-war peace and was posted home to recover. He volunteered for service in the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War against the Bolsheviks. He served as chief liaison officer with a White column in North Russia but was captured in July after the Russians mutinied. Andrews was senior British officer at the Butyrka prison in Moscow and became the last Briton to be released from captivity in April 1920. He left the army in October 1920 and, rather than return to Chile, joined the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary, which was commanded by Crozier. He resigned from the unit in January 1921 and moved to London where he established an automobile garage. Andrews was killed when part of an abrasive wheel he was using in the garage struck him in the chest.

Early life and career Andrews was born in Stoke Newington (then a part of Middlesex) on 8 December 1876. He attended the City of London School and afterwards became a poulterer. During the Second Boer War (1899–1902) Andrews enlisted into the 128th Company (Westminster Dragoons) of the Imperial Yeomanry. He finished his service as a lance sergeant and received the Queen's South Africa Medal. Andrews reached the rank of corporal again before being selected to receive a commission. He transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment as a temporary second lieutenant on 19 March 1916. He received the Military Cross in August 1916. On 24 April he led the battalion in the capture of Welsh Ridge, near Cambrai. Andrews afterwards led a counterattack to drive back a party of Germans and took possession of the rear lip of the mine crater as a new defensive position.

Andrews was promoted to the temporary rank of major on 1 July 1917. He was appointed an acting lieutenant-colonel, commanding his battalion, on 11 July, being promoted to the temporary rank on 18 October, with his seniority backdated to 11 July. Andrews led the 17th Welsh into action at Bourlon Wood in November 1917, during the Battle of Cambrai. He was wounded in the right buttock, damaging his sciatic nerve. Andrews was supposed to report to army headquarters but reported unofficially to Crozier first. Crozier immediately appointed him to command the 13th Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment, the 17th Welsh having been disbanded.

Russia Andrews volunteered to serve with the British Army as part of the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War against the Bolsheviks. Andrews became the last captive Briton to be released from Bolshevik captivity in April 1920. Andrews resigned from the unit in January 1921, at around the same time as Crozier left.

Return to London Andrews returned to London after leaving Ireland, taking up residence in Hampstead. Andrews was appointed a freeman of the City of London in recognition of his army service, and received a sword of honour and Sam Browne belt from his fellow freemen. Andrews also served as president of the 17th Welch Old Comrades' Association (the Welsh Regiment had been renamed to use the antiquated spelling "Welch" in 1920) and was a member of the battle honours committees of the Welch and the East Lancashire Regiments. He was also a Freemason.

Andrews established, with Crozier, the Ex-Officers' Automobile Service, possibly with money from their army demobilisation gratuities. The company carried out repairs, bought and sold cars and sold insurance. It maintained two premises, an office and works near Euston Station and a garage at Leyton. Crozier was chairman and director and Andrews was general manager.

Andrews died at the garage on 16 January 1923. He was sharpening a chisel on an electric-powered abrasive wheel when it broke and a piece of the wheel struck him in the chest, rupturing his heart. The owner of a neighbouring engineering business had heard the motor start and then a loud thud; upon investigating he found Andrews lying next to the wheel with the chisel still clasped in his hand. He left an estate valued at £1,239 and 15 shillings . He left a shilling to each of his four sisters and the remainder of his estate to an Edith Ricketts "for her faithful and devoted friendship".