Charles Thomas Richards, 1910 - 1911

Richards was born in Birmingham in 1853. He was educated at St Mark's and the George Dawson Schools. At the age of fouteen, he joined the staff of the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) at their Birmingham goods depot. Later he became the chief correspondent and accounts clerk for the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Company. He moved to Wolverhampton in 1873 where he opened a pawnbrokers shop situated in Bilston Road. As the business grew in success Richards became chairman, secretary and treasurer of the Wolverhampton Pawnbrokers Association. He was elected to Wolverhampton Council in November 1903 and became a member of the Education Committee, subsequently becoming its vice-chairman. He was also appointed chairman of the Higher Grade School Committee of Managers. Richards' term of office as mayor co-incided with the Coronation of King George V in 1910. As mayor he attended the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey and received the King's Coronation Medal.

Photograph Index - Y1/RIC
Ref DX-173/5