Richards was commissioned a lieutenant in the Hampshire Regiment on 8 December 1886, and served with the 1st Battalion in the Burmese Expedition 1887-89, where he was slightly wounded. He was promoted to captain on 14 July 1893, and later transferred to the 2nd Battalion, with which he served in the Second Boer War from 1900 to 1902. After arrival in South Africa in early 1900, he took part in the battles of Paardeberg (Feb 1900), Poplar Grove (7 March 1900), Karee, Brandfort and de Vet and Zand Rivers; and the occupation of the Boer capitals Bloemfontein (March 1900) and Pretoria (June 1900). He was District Commander at Hoopstad from June 1900 until April 1901, was mentioned in despatches and received the Queen's South Africa Medal (with three clasps). Following the end of hostilities in early June 1902, he left Cape Town on board the "SS Orotava", and arrived at Southampton the next month. From November 1902 he was adjutant of the 5th (Isle of Wight ´Princess Beatrice´s) Volunteer Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment.