  thumb|upright=1.3|piper james richardson vc at regina trench, by james p beadle james (jimmy) cleland richardson vc (25 november 1895 &ndash; 8/9 october 1916) was a canadian recipient of the victoria cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to british and commonwealth forces. richardson was born in bellshill, scotland and a resident of vancouver, british columbia, canada and then chilliwack, bc. he was a piper in the 72nd seaforth highlanders of canada and he proceeded overseas as part of the large seaforth contingent of the 16th (canadian scottish) battalion, canadian expeditionary force, during the first world war when the following deed took place when was 20 years old for which he was awarded the vc. during the battle of the ancre heights on 8 october 1916 at regina trench, somme, france, the company was held up by very strong wire and came under intense fire. piper richardson, who had obtained permission to play the company 'over the top' strode up and down outside the wire playing his pipes, which so inspired the company that the wire was rushed and the position captured. later the piper was detailed to take back a wounded comrade and some prisoners, but after proceeding some distance he insisted on turning back to recover his pipes which he had left behind. he was never seen again. richardson's remains were found in 1920 and he is buried at adanac military cemetery, located 6 miles north-east of albert, france (plot iii, row f, grave 36). thumb|left|richardson's bagpipes ==richardson's bagpipes== richardson's bagpipes were believed to have been lost in the mud of the somme for almost 90 years until 2002, when the pipe major of the canadian scottish regiment (princess mary's) responded to an internet posting. he discovered that ardvreck preparatory school in scotland had possession of a set of bagpipes with the unique lennox tartan on
1895_births 1916_deaths Canadian_Battle_of_the_Somme_recipients_of_the_Victoria_Cross Canadian_Expeditionary_Force_soldiers Canadian_military_personnel_killed_in_World_War_I Great_Highland_bagpipe_players Military_musicians People_from_Bellshill People_from_Chilliwack Scottish_emigrants_to_Canada