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His birth was registered Mar qtr 1882 Gower 11a 730 and his age is also given on CGWG website as 37.
1891, 1901 & 1911 Oystermouth censuses.
He worked, before the war on the Mumbles railway as a “brake examiner”
His job of trimmer on the minesweeper “Ascot” concerned all aspects concerning coal on the steamship.
His father James (1851-1935) was a coachman and gardener from Devon but his mother Mary nee GIBBS (1852-1901) came from a family
with a very strong seafaring background in Porteynon.
Francis’ grandfather Samuel GIBBS (1808-1891) was a Mariner.
Francis also had 3 uncles who went to sea.
1. Samuel GIBBS (1835-1919) who was a mariner and Coxwain of the Porteynon Lifeboat “A Daughters Offering” from 1884-1904
2. Captain Francis /Frank GIBBS (1840-1878) a Master Mariner, drowned at sea when Captain of “Corsair”
3. The famous William (Billy) GIBBS (1849-1916) who had been a lifeboatman with his elder brother for many years and took over as
Coxwain on the new lifeboat “Janet” in 1909. Sadly , at the age of 66 he and two other members of the crew were drowned ,
in the tragedy of 1st Jan 1916. They are remembered by the well-known lifeboatman memorial in St Catwgs church grounds, Porteynon.
Francis Arthur RICHARDS' minesweeper was the last British vessel lost during the War, just 1 day before the armistice was signed.
He had married Amy Mildred CROOM Dec qtr 1910 in Gower 11a 1911 and as you know left 4 young children Hilda, Arthur, Mary and Frances.
Amy did not remarry and died Sep qtr 1967 in Swansea 8b 661