Harry Richards was the youngest son of John Richards and Mary Mullis Richards, who arrived in South Australia in 1854. Harry, however, was born in Willunga in 1861. In 1886, he married Margaret Anne McBurney from Aldinga. Harry and Margaret produced 8 children. In 1897 the family was rocked by tragedy when the eldest son, 10 year old Gordon (Riding fatality at Willunga in 1897), was thrown from his horse which then stepped on his head, shattering his skull. Death was thought to be instantaneous.
Harry was an entrepreneur. Like his father, he was a builder, and is credited with building the Willunga Methodist Church and hall, the Bank of Adelaide at McLaren Vale, and the Noarlunga Anglican Church and tower. He owned a brickyard, and used the brickyard to build additions to his home which later became a cafe. In 1904, Harry took over the operation of the Bangor slate quarry. According to a local paper at the time, ”the quarry is now being worked at the greatest depth since it was opened, a very material factor in quality.” Harry was also an agriculturist, in 1904, he advertised a variety of vines for sale, namely cabernet, shiraz, currants, mataro, muscatel, and doradillo. Harry also carved a couple of gravestones after the death of his brother John Richards Junior, a gifted slate carver.
Harry took a leading role in advocating for a railway line to Willunga. By 1909, the Willunga Railway was a matter of controversy, and a challenge that Harry threw himself into with gusto. In a letter to the Adelaide Register Harry challenged the Engineer-in-Chief and Commissioner of the Railways on the veracity and thoroughness of evidence presented to the Royal Commission. Using a horse and trap, Harry visited all the towns from Brighton to Yankalilla, holding public meetings and garnering support. Then on one memorable day, Harry led a deputation to Parliament House and Parliament granted permission for the construction of a railway from Marino to Willunga. Although the railway was to bring a new prosperity to Willunga, for Harry the work, stress and continual effort imposed a heavy toll. On 8 April 1911, at his home in Willunga, Harry Richards died suddenly. After his death, his widow Margaret opened Richards’ Refreshment Room on Railway Terrace in the front room of their home to cater for train travellers to support the family.
