page_title: James Cleland Richardson
hierarchical_section_title: James Cleland Richardson
caption_attribution_description: Photograph of piper James Cleland Richardson, VC wearing his 72 Seaforth Highlanders of Canada uniform. As a member of the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish), Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), he became the youngest Canadian to win the Victoria Cross, at age 20, during the Battle of the Somme, 8 October 1916. The decoration was awarded posthumously.
context_page_description: James Cleland Richardson VC 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, 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 Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, during the First World War when the following deed took place when he 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.
context_section_description: James (Jimmy) Cleland Richardson VC (25 November 1895  – 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, 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 he 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.
caption: Piper James C. Richardson, VC, circa. 1914-15
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