Education
Peterhouse.
Peterhouse.
Educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge, Richards was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1965. He was given command of 7th Regiment Royal Horse Artillery in 1983. He was appointed Commander of 5th Airborne Brigade in 1989, Director of Army Staff Duties at the Ministry of Defence in 1991 and Chief of Combat Support for the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps in 1994 during the Bosnian War.
His last appointment was as General Officer Commanding 4th Division in 1996 before he retired in 1998.