James Cleland Richardson

He played his pipes under fire to rally men stopped at wire.

James Cleland Richardson was born at Bellshill, Scotland, on 25 November 1895. His family settled in British Columbia, where he worked as an electrician and played the bagpipes. He joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Valcartier in September 1914 and served with the 16th Battalion, the Canadian Scottish. He travelled to Britain that autumn and reached France in February 1915.

On 8 October 1916, during the Somme offensive, his battalion attacked Regina Trench. German wire and intense fire stopped part of the advance. Richardson obtained permission to play his pipes, then walked repeatedly along the exposed frontage. His example encouraged men to leave cover, force their way through the wire and continue the assault.

He subsequently helped with the fighting and the removal of wounded men and prisoners. Having left his pipes behind while assisting others, he went back to recover them. He did not return. His death is commemorated on 9 October 1916, and his body was recovered after the war and buried in Adanac Military Cemetery near Miraumont. He was twenty.

The posthumous Victoria Cross was announced on 22 October 1918. His parents received it in Victoria the following spring. His service was also recognised by the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

The pipes followed an extraordinary separate journey. Recovered from the battlefield by a British army chaplain, they eventually reached Ardvreck School in Scotland, where they were kept for decades before their Canadian connection was established. They returned to British Columbia in 2006 and became part of the public commemoration of Richardson's service. His medals are preserved by the Canadian War Museum, linking his family's loss with the wider history of Canadian troops on the Somme.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when, prior to attack, he obtained permission from his Commanding Officer to play his company “over the top.” As the company approached the objective, it was held up by very strong wire and came under intense fire, which caused heavy casualties and demoralised the formation for the moment. Realising the situation, Piper Richardson strode up and down outside the wire, playing his pipes with the greatest coolness. The effect was instantaneous. Inspired by his splendid example, the company rushed the wire with such fury and determination that the obstacle was overcome and the position captured. Later, after participating in bombing operations, he was detailed to take back a wounded comrade and prisoners. After proceeding about 200 yards Piper Richardson remembered that he had left his pipes behind. Although strongly urged not to do so, he insisted on returning to recover his pipes. He has never been seen since, and death has been presumed accordingly owing to lapse of time.

Ninth Supplement to The London Gazette of 18 October 1918. 22 October 1918, Numb. 30967, p. 12488