Brian Harold Richardson was born at Saddleworth, South Australia, on 4 May 1893 to Frederick George and Amelia Jane (nee Filgate). Richardson graduated from St. Peter's Collegiate School at Adelaide in 1910 and subsequently attended the School of Mines. During this period he was a member of St. Peter's Collegian Rifle Club and spent two years as a volunteer with the Cadets.

Richardson worked as a Clerk when he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 4 October 1915. He trained at various camps around Adelaide including Morphettville and Mitcham before completing Officers' School with the rank of sergeant on 16 March 1916. Richardson embarked from Outer Harbour, Adelaide, with the 43rd Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Afric on 9 June 1916, and disembarked at Marseilles on 20 July 1916. The Battalion entrained to Le Havre and proceeded to Larkhill Camp via Southampton to complete their overseas training before returning to France via the same route on 25 November 1916.

After less than a month in France, Richardson contracted the mumps and remained in hospital until 20 January 1917. Thereafter, his active service in France and Belgium was punctuated by regular stints at schools of instruction followed by several specialised roles and promotions. He was promoted to 2nd lieutenant on 5 March 1917, briefly served at Brigade Headquarters during June 1917, promoted to lieutenant shortly after, and assigned to the role of battalion intelligence officer during October 1917.

Richardson was Mentioned in Despatches during January 1919. In connection with the Battle of Broodseinde on 4 October 1917, the Despatch stated Richardson 'displayed great courage and initiative whilst up with his platoon in the assembly position prior to the attack'. Furthermore, the Despatch remarked 'On many occasions during the fighting on the Somme in 1918, he, at great personal risk obtained first hand information which it was most essential to have'.

Richardson was mobilised for return to Australia on 23 April 1919, left France five days later and subsequently spent six weeks at Codford Camp in England. He departed Southampton aboard HMAT Themistocles on 12 June 1919, and disembarked at Melbourne on 8 August 1919. Upon returning to South Australia, Richardson settled at Marrabel, an agricultural township beside the Light River in the State's Mid North. He took up farming, and married Jessie Elizabeth Paterson at St. Peter's College Chapel, Adelaide, on March 24 1925.

During the Second World War, Richardson served with the Volunteer Defence Corps, 8th Battalion.

Brian Harold Richardson died on 9 October 1990