Rank unknown James Cleland Richardson

1. Rank unknown, 16th Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1914-09-23 ?
2. Private (Army).

Victoria Cross

Son of David Richardson and Mary Richardson (nee Prosser) of Princess Avenue, Chilliwack, British Columbia.

James was born November 25, 1895 at Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. His next of kin, father was the Chief of Police in Chilliwack. James Richarson went with the 72nd Seaforths to Camp Valcartier and was one of 110 original members of the 72nd at Valcartier on September 23, 1914 that were assigned to the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish).

James C. Richardson was awarded a Victoria Cross for his actions at the Regina Trench on October 8th 1916 as part of the 3rd Infantry Brigade that saw him killed in action on the 9th October 1916. He left his pipes on the battlefield when he was helping to assist the wounded back and was later killed. The pipes were later found and taken back to Scotland. They were on display in a school in Perthshire Scotland and have recently been given back to Canada to go on display in British Columbia. Piper Private James C. Richarson has been immortalized by a statue by the City of Chilliwack on the lawn near the Chilliwack Museum since 11 October 2003.

His parents were married August 14, 1891 at 69 High Street, Peebles, Scotland after publication according to the Forms of the United Free Church.

Featured in True Canadian Heroes on the Battlefield by Arthur Bishop, page 43.

James Richardson, a 17 1/2 year old youth, came to Canada with his Police Officer father from Blantyre, Scotland and arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 23 May 1913. James worked at a False Creek factory in Vancouver and was a member of the 72nd Seaforths and was also a youth member of the Seaforth Highlander Cadet Corps pipe band.

Article in the Vancouver Sun 2 October 2006, transcribed here: http://cefresearch.ca/matrix/Army Corps/Divisions/1st Division/3rd Infantry Brigade/16th Battalion.htm