Arthur Herbert Lindsay Richardson
Encyclopedia
Arthur Herbert Lindsay Richardson VC
(23 September 1872 — 15 December 1932) 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.
, Lancashire
, in 1872, Richardson emigrated to Canada in 1891. After a period as a rancher he joined the North-West Mounted Police in 1894. At the outbreak of the Second Boer War
in 1900 he joined the newly raised Strathcona's Horse.
Richardson was 27 years old, and a sergeant
when the following deed took place on 5 July 1900 at Wolwespruit, Standerton
, South Africa
, for which he was awarded the VC:
Richardson was the first soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross for actions committed while serving with a Canadian unit under British command.
He re-joined the NWMP in 1901 and served until 1906. After his wife's death in 1916, Richardson returned to Liverpool
and died there in 1932.
in Calgary, Alberta. His gravestone can be seen at the Liverpool Cathedral
St. James Gardens.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
(23 September 1872 — 15 December 1932) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces.
Details
Born in SouthportSouthport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, in 1872, Richardson emigrated to Canada in 1891. After a period as a rancher he joined the North-West Mounted Police in 1894. At the outbreak of the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
in 1900 he joined the newly raised Strathcona's Horse.
Richardson was 27 years old, and a sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
when the following deed took place on 5 July 1900 at Wolwespruit, Standerton
Standerton
Standerton is a large commercial and agricultural town lying on the banks of the Vaal River in Mpumalanga, South Africa which specialises in cattle, dairy, maize and poultry farming. The town was established in 1876 and named after Boer leader Commadant AH Stander. During the Second Boer War a...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, for which he was awarded the VC:
Richardson was the first soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross for actions committed while serving with a Canadian unit under British command.
He re-joined the NWMP in 1901 and served until 1906. After his wife's death in 1916, Richardson returned to Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
and died there in 1932.
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Military MuseumsThe Military Museums
The Military Museums is a reorganization of the former Museum of the Regiments in Calgary, Alberta, announced by Sophie, Countess of Wessex, on June 3, 2006...
in Calgary, Alberta. His gravestone can be seen at the Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral is the Church of England cathedral of the Diocese of Liverpool, built on St James's Mount in Liverpool and is the seat of the Bishop of Liverpool. Its official name is the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool but it is dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin...
St. James Gardens.