Although less than 2 years had passed since the end of the 1st World War, unemployment was rife. The father, due to his ill health due to his wartime experiences could not take on any hard work. He worked at a coal mine for a period, but was not able to continue in this employment and the elder children had to obtain employment to help out in the home, even though just a few shillings were earned for long hours worked.
Richard immediately obtained a position 1920 as an errand boy at a Nautical Opticians and Compass Adjusters. He progressed over the years in more responsible positions until after marrying in 1928, was promoted to River Clerk, which entailed attending ships in the North East Rivers, obtaining orders and delivering instruments, until the firm merged with another firm at North Shields and continued with them until 1982 before retiring after 62 years service. With his original firm he had progressed to General Manager and was a shareholder and Director when changing employers in 1968.
He served for nearly 5 years in the forces during the 1939 – 1945 War. He was allowed exemption until April 1941 to carry on attending Naval and Merchant Navy vessels but joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps for training before being posted to different Ammunition Depots. Having been promoted and eventually reaching the rank of Sergeant, he was again posted to an Ammunition Training School in 1944 and being appointed a Chief Clerk in Administration. After demobilisation in February 1946 he returned to his old employment until 1958, he was appointed General Manager and Secretary and made a Director.
When joining the new firm in 1968, his directorship was relinquished and being 61 years of age, he was employed in office administration and assistant secretary. Being fully acquainted with all of the shipowner firms whose business was now coming to the North Shields business, he was still employed in an advisory capacity with a great number of firms he had had dealing with for a number of years.
On reaching the retirement age of 65 in 1972, he carried on in a part time basis for a further 10 years when, after having undergone three serious operations, he decided to retire at the age of 75 and completing 62 years of service to the two firms.
Having been a supporter of the local South Shields Football Club for all of his life, after retiring he put a lot of his efforts in helping the club and after serving as Assistant Secretary, then Vice– Chairman, he was appointed as President in 1986 and continued his efforts in making the club a successful association.
