Richard Merrick

Story:
Richard Merrick was born in Much Wenlock, Shropshire, on 9 Jun 1877 the son of Richard Merrick and Hannah Merrick.  He lived his early life in Much Wenlock until by 1901 he was boarding as a Servant at the Stables attached to Harford House, Manton, Rutland.  He had moved to Dorset and a marriage to Rose Vincent was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1902.  He worked as a Groom and lived at The Corner, Child Okeford, Dorset, until he moved for a few years to 14 Loyal Cottage, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset.   He enlisted on 9 Jan 1918 and joined the Royal Flying Corps as an Air Mechanic 3 (Service No. 118142).  When the Royal Air Force was formed on 1 Apr 1918 he became a Private 2 and was working with the 2nd Balloon Squadron wholly based in the UK.  He was discharged to the reserves on 8 Mar 1919 and finally demobilized on 30 Nov 1920.  No medal record can be found but he would have qualified for the British War Medal at least.   By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Melrose Cottage, Catsfield Road, Fareham, Hampshire, working as a Gardener.  He died in the Gosport, Hampshire, Registry area in 1963.