 Nyora kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Musi wa27 Nyamavhuvhu 1940, Richards akabatana neChipiri cheAustralia Imperial Force AIF, uye akapihwa nhamba yebasa reAIF NX70273. Akagadzwa kuva Regimental Medical Officer we a href215th20Field20Regiment2028Australia29215th Field Regimenta, chikwata chemapurisa che 8th Division, musi wa 18 Mbudzi 1940, uye akatanga kuenda kuSingapore neyuniti yake musi wa 29 Chikunguru 1941. Munguva yokurwisa kweMalaya, Richards akaronga kurapwa kwechikwata chake, icho chakarwa noushingi asi pasina kubudirira kumisa kufambira mberi kweJapan kuSingapore. Akava musungwa wehondo wechiJapan apo Singapore yakawamusi wa15 February 1942. 