Born on 22 February 1893, Richard Gordon Powell was one of twelve children born to William and Elizabeth Powell. He grew up in Launceston and worked as a bootmaker for the well-known Tasmanian firm P.O Fysh & Co and at Boag’s Brewery. Debuting in 1912, he impressed in the early league matches of that year and played in the inaugural North vs South intrastate match in 1912. He continued to play for the Elphin club, joining the committee in 1914, until war broke out. In addition to his soccer achievements, he was a member of the Central harriers athletics club, one of Launceston’s leading amateur athletic clubs. He specialised in long distance events, including being crowned the seven-mile road race champion in 1912. He was joined at this club by fellow Elphin teammates George Harris, Roy Blackberry and Francis Roden.
Richard enlisted on 12 February 1915, joining the 26th Battalion, C Company. This battalion comprised of soldiers from Brisbane and Tasmania, with the HMAT A60 Aeneas departing Brisbane on 29 June 1915, picking up the Tasmanian contingent on the way to Egypt. Richard initially saw action at Gallipoli in the later half of 1915, prior to the withdrawal from the peninsula later that year.
Richard and his company were then transferred to France and the Battle of the Somme. Richard was reported missing on 5 August, during the Battle of Pozières. One year later, this was changed to killed in action. His body was never found and he has no known grave. He is commemorated at the Villers-Bretonneux memorial.