Richard Line was born in Hampstead on 1st December 1896 to parents Richard and Ruth Line (nee House) of Hampstead, London. In 1901 he was living at Hampstead with his family; including his brother Ralph, who is also recorded on Thame war memorial.

By 1911, Ruth had been left a widow with nine children, the two youngest were at home but the others were mainly in service around London. Richard was living in a children’s home known as “The Houseboy Brigade” in Elizabeth Street, Pimlico. His brother Ralph married Sarah J Humphris from Thame at St Mary’s in 1917.

Richard was resident in Notting Hill at the time of Kitchener’s calling when he joined the Oxf & Bucks Light Infantry at Oxford. He was among a group of men transferred to the 7th (Service) Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment, also known as Duke of Edinburgh’s Regiment.

The 7th Battalion initially served in France but in November 1915 they sailed to Salonika. In 1916 they were fighting near Kalinova having taken over from the French and by the end of 1916 they were in the area around Lake Doiran. The first Battle of Doiran took place between 22nd April and 8th May 1917.

On the night of the 24th April the 7th Battalion launched a night attack on the fortress of Grand Couronne, coming up against devastating fire and un-breached wire. Fourteen out of the fifteen officers became casualties, together with about 300 other ranks, including Private Francis Hopkins.

13765 Private Richard Line was killed in action on 24th April 1917; he has no known grave and is remembered on the Doiran Memorial, Greece.

In Thame he is remembered on the town war memorial, and the All Saints church memorial board.