WW1 Piper in kilt on battlefield

[Steve Ashton]

For this entire month the Royal BC Museum is hosting a tribute to the Canadian Scottish Regt. who are celebrating their 100th anniversary. One part of the exhibit is this case.





The story goes that after the attack he was helping carry wounded from the field when he remembered he had forgotten his pipes.
He returned to retrieve them and was never seen again.










The Text:

James Richardson and his family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in about 1913. They settled in the area of Chilliwack, British Columbia, where Richardsons' father became Chief of Police. James worked as an electrician and played bagpipes in local competitions.

Richardson was part of the founding draft of the 74th Seaforth Highlanders that make up the 16th Battalion and arrived in France in February 1915. It was during the Battalion's attack on Regina Trench in the Battle of the Somme on October 8, 1916 that Richardson performed the incredible act that led to the award of a Victoria Cross.

Richardson received permission to accompany the attack on Regina Trench but was told not to play his bagpi9pes until ordered to do so. When the Battalion came up against an intact barbwire entanglement the attack stalled and his officer was killed. Richardson began to march along the wire playing in full view of the enemy. Encouraged by his example the Battalion charged the wire and entered the trenches. His is presumed to have died at some point on October 9, seven weeks short of his 21st birthday.

After hearing about Richardson being awarded the Victoria Cross Major G.H. Davies of the 16th Battalion wrote to Richardson's father "He was a delightful chap, and in my company from when we left Vancouver. Never tired, however long the march was, and always ready with a willing hand to do anything and give the boys a tune, and always anxious to lead his company 'over the top'. He was a great loss to the Battalion, and I am sure greater to you. I had always hoped the he would receive the VC.

Richardson was buried in Adananc Military Cemetery near Miroumont, France in 1920.

(Richardson's medals courtesy of The Canadian War Museum)