Prior to enlistment he was a Sapper with the New Zealand Territorial Forces, and completed courses at the School of Instructors Trentham in 1397/38. He was called to service in January 1940 as an Instructor of Mechanical Engineering at Trentham Mobilisation Camp and as Instructor in Bridging Explosives, Fieldwork and Mechanical Engineering. During the Second World War he also served as the Officer for India and was attached to the Royal Engineers India with the rank of Lieutenant from September 1944. He embarked overseas, disembarking in Cairo in November 1944, and arriving in India in December 1944. From the 6th December 1944 to the 21st December 1944 he was stationed at the Transit Camp Kalyar in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. He then reported to the No.3 Headquarters Engineers Depot on the 23rd December 1944, Tezpur Airfield, Tezpur India. In June 1945 he was posted to 903 Indian Works Section from the 904. He was released in December 1945 and embarked in Madras (now Chennai) on SS Tegelberg. Arrived in New Zealand in February 1946.

Post War he worked as a Works Overseer at the South Canterbury Catchment Board, based in Temuka. He was responsible for men and machinery involved in River Control, Construction of Stop banks and remained in this position until ill health led to an early retirement. Richards also served as a Temuka Borough Councillor from 1953 to 1961, and as a member of many local organisations He was also involved with the Temuka RSA, serving terms of Vice President and President, and pensions and welfare officer. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the services sectionat the Temuka Cemetery and was awarded the NZ RSA Gold Star. AWMM