The Piper Richardson Statue Project
The BC Government has provided $10,000 for the Piper Richardson Statue, as a result of strong and persistent encouragement by Barry Penner and Chilliwack-Sumas MLA John Les.
The City of Chilliwack and the Chilliwack Museum and Historical Society helped organize this important and exciting project for the community. The enthusiastic support of Branch 4 and Branch 280, Royal Canadian Legion, was also instrumental in making the vision of a statue of Piper James Cleland Richardson, V.C. a reality on the lawn of the Chilliwack Museum at the Spadina Avenue-Yale Road intersection.
The memorial to Richardson is a life-sized bronze statue, showing him in battle dress, holding his pipes. The unveiling was held October 11, 2003, the anniversary of Richardson's action which helped him win the Victoria Cross (VC).
World-renowned sculptor, John Weaver, a resident of Laidlaw near Hope, was commissioned to create the statue. Weaver's incredibly detailed and realistic work can be found in many locations throughout North America and Europe.
A major community fund raising campaign was undertaken to cover a majority of the costs for the $80,000 statue and landscaping the grounds around the statue. More than $60,000 was raised by generous donors. The City of Chilliwack and BC Government paid the rest.
Chilliwack Museum
45820 Spadina Avenue
Chilliwack, B.C.
V2P 1T3
For further information call the Chilliwack Museum at 604-795-5210.
"Barry visits internationally-renowned sculptor John Weaver in December 2002, at his work shop near Hope, BC. Mr. Weaver was commissioned to design and construct a life-size sculpture of Piper Richardson. He first completed an accurate but much smaller model. The model was used to identify any historical inaccuracies and to guide work on the full-size version. Donations are being sought by the Chilliwack Museum to help pay for the project."
PIPER JAMES RICHARDSON, VC
Excerpts from Speech to the Legislature by Barry Penner, MLA (Chilliwack-Kent)
February 25, 2002.
One day during my first session following the election in 1996, I stopped in the hallway just outside the legislative chamber to look at a number of plaques commemorating British Columbians who have been awarded the Victoria Cross. The Victoria Cross or VC, as it is often referred to, is the highest and most prestigious award for 'gallantry in the face of the enemy' that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Among the 22 plaques honouring British Columbians, most of whom received their VCs posthumously, was one with a photograph of a particularly young and mischievous-looking teenager. As I read the inscription on the plaque, I was intrigued to learn that this VC recipient had been a resident of Chilliwack. Thus began my fascination with what I call "the Piper Richardson story." For Piper Richardson is how the hero came to be known.
Two years later, during a visit to Ottawa, I made arrangements to meet with officials of the history and heritage section of the Department of National Defence. Major Bob Brown was kind enough to provide me with documents from their files. From these files it appears that young James Clelland Richardson was not good with figures, for at various times he gave the military three different dates for his birth - probably because he falsified his age in order to enlist before he was old enough to do so.
James Richardson, known to his friends and family as "Jimmy," was born in Scotland, but his family moved to Chilliwack, British Columbia, where his father became the chief of police prior to the outbreak of war. Jimmy enlisted in 1914, most likely at the age of 16. He was born in Scotland, but his family moved to Chilliwack, British Columbia, where his father became the chief of police prior to the outbreak of war. He won three gold medals prior to heading off to war by competing in piping contests in Vancouver, North Vancouver and Victoria.
Young Jimmy also gained notoriety for bravery. One day, while visiting False Creek in Vancouver, a young boy fell into the cold water. Without hesitation, Jimmy made a running dive off the dock and into the water and eventually emerged holding the younger boy. Unfortunately, all efforts at resuscitation failed, but Jimmy's actions were to foreshadow his conduct to come.
In World War I Jimmy was assigned to the 16th infantry battalion expeditionary force, also known as the Canadian Scottish, and served in Belgium and France. His rank was that of a private, and his role was that of a piper � to play his bagpipes and inspire his fellow soldiers while intimidating the enemy. Jimmy also served as a cook, responsible for feeding up to 18 men at a time.
But it was his keen appetite for adventure which led him to frequently volunteer for dangerous assignments. On one occasion, with only moonlight for illumination, Jimmy advanced on his own beyond Canadian lines near St. Julien into a thick, dark forest. He eventually stumbled across a French farmhouse in a clearing and suddenly realized there were German soldiers all around him. Jimmy flung himself to the ground, trying to hide in the tall grass�but perhaps it was too late. A German officer was moving towards him while gesturing to the other soldiers. According to a letter he later sent to his father, Jimmy thought to himself:
"I had two alternatives - namely, to shoot the nearest man I saw, which was the officer, and make a dash for my pals or give myself up as a prisoner. I risked the former and aimed quick and true as I could at my man, who then rolled over like a log. Then you talk about running. There isn't a man who could've covered the ground quicker than I did, and nobody could be more thankful than I when I found myself amongst my own kith and kin. I told the sergeant-major that the farmhouse was full of Germans and that they would have to be cleared out if we intended to hold our position through the next day. Well, as the farmhouse was an ideal sniping post for the Huns, the matter was reported to the artillery, which, needless to say, put the farmhouse out of business."
During the Battle of the Somme, which was one of the bloodiest battles of World War I, Jimmy was in an area known as Regina Trench, northeast of the French town of Albert. One day, October 9, he pleaded for permission to "go in" with a planned assault by the 16th battalion on German-held positions. His battalion commander eventually agreed. At 4:50 a.m. the Canadians opened up with a withering artillery barrage, and Jimmy joined other soldiers in leaving the relative safety of the trenches to advance across open terrain towards German positions.
Just when things were going well, the Canadians came up against heavy barbed wire stretching 400 yards across their path. It hadn't been cut by the artillery bombardment, as had been the plan. At that moment, gunfire and mortar fire erupted from the German lines, and the Canadians scattered for cover in shell holes and against the muddy ground. Company commander, Major Lynch, was hit in the chest by a rifle bullet and collapsed. At that moment, things looked very bad indeed. Not one of the Canadian soldiers from the 16th battalion had managed to get past the barbed wire. It seemed as if, to a man, the attacking Canadian troops would become casualties.
Jimmy turned to Sergeant-Major Mackie to inquire if he should play his bagpipes, asking: "Wull I gie them wund?" Mackie replied, "Aye mon, gie them wund." According to the official citation, here's what happened next:
"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 encouraged 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 the lapse of time."
One year later he was awarded the Victoria Cross 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."
Upon learning of the posthumous award, Major Gavin Davies wrote to Jimmy's father to express his satisfaction that the young piper had been awarded:
"the greatest medal of them all. He was a delightful chap and in my company from when we left Vancouver. He never tired, however long the march was, and was always ready with a willing hand to do anything and give the boys a tune and always anxious to lead his company over the top. He was a great loss to the battalion and I am sure a greater loss to you. I was in the fight when Jimmy went back for his pipes but never returned. You have my deep sympathy in his loss and best of congratulations on the great award."
At this time when Canadian soldiers are overseas in Afghanistan, it is especially important to remember the individual humanity of all participants in armed conflict. This was brought home to me in one of the letters Jimmy Richardson wrote to his brother shortly before his death, when he discussed a topic I can certainly relate to. I'll quote here from the letter.
"I was at town yesterday on a pass, where we were billeted over a year ago. I went to a house there which I used to go to, and the family knew me right away. The old lady has a fine daughter there whom I get on well with. I was asking her if she would come to Canada with me" Ha! Ha! "but then she replied her fiance was at the war, so that finished me."
Later he wrote: "I am back with my old company, but I am sorry to say I see very few old faces." Let us not forget the incredible human cost of a war.
In August 2000, it was discovered that a set of old, mud-caked bagpipes kept at a private school in Scotland were actually of Canadian origin. The pipes had originally been found following the Battle of the Somme in 1917 and were kept as a souvenir. They were thought to be Scottish. However, as part of a school project, closer examination of the tartan weave revealed they belonged to the 16th Canadian Expeditionary Force. This was Piper Richardson's battalion.
The City of Chilliwack has recently struck a committee, headed by Councillor Dorothy Kostrewza and including Col. Ywe Looper (Ret.), to pursue some form of public memorial for Piper Richardson. Perhaps the bagpipes which Jimmy couldn't find on the battlefield, but which are now located in Scotland, could be repatriated and placed on display in a secure case at the new court house. I know the idea of a statue is being actively pursued. (Please see details below.)
James Richardson is the only Canadian piper to have ever been awarded the Victoria Cross, and he is the only person from Chilliwack to be so recognized. His commitment to his country, his unflinching courage and his willingness to serve others stand as a constant reminder of characteristics we should all strive to attain. Piper Richardson truly is a Canadian hero.
May you rest in peace, Jimmy.
