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Name: RICHARDSON, James Laidlaw
Birth Date: 1882 Easington, Durham
Death Date: 9 Jan 1959 Nyeri
First Date: 1930
Profession: Engineer, electrician, c/o Carr Lawson & Co. Ltd.
Area: Nairobi, Kiganjo
Married: In Houghton le Spring 1906 Isabella Scott b. 25 Sep 1881 Seaham Harbour, Durham, d. 14 Mar 1949 Murton, Durham
Children: Greta Scott (Eves) (1 Dec 1907 Easington-10 Jan 1996 Ringwood, Hants.); Maisie Laidlaw (Birbeck) (14 Feb 1912 Easington-18 Apr 1981 Bournmoor, Durham)
Book Reference: Red 31, Campling, Staff 53
War Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
General Information:
Campling - 1931 - Carr Lawson - "When not busy doing this he [Keith Campling] helped Mr Richardson, the foreman, with electrical work and learnt a great deal from him about electrics in general. Mr Richardson's pride and joy was his new Buick, which he daily drove into the workshop for the staff to polish and clean; he was a fat tubby little man with an unfortunate tendency to be aggressive and rude to his underlings.
Staff 53 - Caretaker, Royal Lodge Sagana, appointed Camp Officer 1-7-1946
Gazette 5 July 1960 probate
St Peter's Nyeri cemetery Inscription: in memory of / James Laidlaw Richardson / died 9th January 1959 / aged 77 years / dearly beloved father of / Maisie Laidlaw Birbeck / Durham. England
Habari Quartermaster of Police Training School - retired 1956. Richardson Drive round the school was named for him. Was a colourful personality - stood outside the store with cigar, cane and dog Turk, watching the kitting out of 'my boys' as he called the recruit constables.
Hw was originally a naval officer in the engineering section. He was a typical 'Geordie' - straightforward, honest, hardworking. Invaluable work at the Police TS, responsible for feeding 1000 trainees (200 during Mau Mau). He was also PTS Quarterrmaster and supervised all civilian staff. He improved the grounds with hedges, trees, grass, a soccer pitch, tennis court, and volley ball court.