He was born at Batemans Bay in 1884, and his family moved to the Ulladulla Aboriginal Camp the following year.

He was the son of Donald Johnson and Mary (Dolly) O’Brien, growing up in Ulladulla. 

Richard married Mabel Stewart from Wallaga Lake at St Peters and St Pauls Milton in 1914. 

They lived at Bawley Point where Richard worked at the Bawley Point and Kioloa sawmills.

In early 1916 Richard’s wife Mabel and their stillborn child died at Nurse Claydon Private Hospital Milton, after which Richard enlisted into the war, at Kiama in June 1916 at the age of 32 years.

At the time he listed his mother Mary Johnson of Currowan near Nelligen as his next of kin.

He left Australia for overseas duty in October 1916, aboard the HMAT Ceramic A40 with the 45th Australian Infantry Battalion. 

He was later transferred to 13th Australian Infantry Battalion serving in both France and Belgium, at the rank of Private. 

Richard was wounded in action in May 1918, and was sent to hospital in England where he was declared unfit for active service.

Whilst in England he married Thomesina Douglas at Edinburgh in 1919, returning home in April that year. 

He eventually made his way to Sydney, and was living in Belmore when he applied for his war medals in 1968 so he could pass them on to his grandson.

Richard was granted the Britain War Medal and Victory Medal, and his name is featured on the Milton Town War Memorial.