[3] During the summer break which followed his freshman year at Cambridge, Richards made his first-class debut for Hampshire against Sussex at Southampton in 1884, with him making a further appearance that season against Somerset.
[1] After arrival in South Africa in early 1900, he took part in the battles of Paardeberg, Poplar Grove, Karee, Brandfort and de Vet and Zand Rivers; and the occupation of the Boer capitals Bloemfontein and Pretoria.
He was District Commander at Hoopstad from June 1900 until April 1901,[3] was mentioned in despatches and received the Queen's South Africa Medal (with three clasps).
[7] Following the end of hostilities in early June 1902, he left Cape Town on board the SS Orotava,[8] and arrived at Southampton the next month.
From November 1902 he was an adjutant in the 5th (Isle of Wight Princess Beatrice's) Volunteer Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment,[9][10] before being promoted to the full rank of captain in 1905.