Corporal Viet-phi Vo from the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, and their tour group recently visited the battlefield and graveyard of Piper James C. Richardson, V.C., a soldier from the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada during World War I. Piper Richardson was originally from Vancouver before moving to Chilliwack, where his father became Chief of Police.

On October 8th, 1916, during the Battle of the Ancre at Regina Trench, his battalion was pinned down by enemy fire from the German troops. With their morale slowly withering away, the 20-year-old Piper Richardson bravely played his bagpipes while marching in front of his comrades, inspiring them to continue their successful attack. He later went to recover his bagpipes at the front line after retrieving some wounded soldiers, but was unfortunately never heard from again.

For his actions, he posthumously received the Victoria Cross, the highest Military Decoration a Canadian soldier can receive. The London Gazette (No. 30967, October 18, 1918) details his citation.

During the Regiments’ visit, on April 29, Viet-phi-Vo had the honour of being the first Seaforth piper in the regiment’s 115-year history to play in the exact spot where Piper James C. Richardson, V.C. was on the day.

The group have been on the battlefield tour in Northern France since April 25th, visiting historic cities and sites such as Caen, Dieppe, and Arras before heading over to Ypres and Passchendaele in Belgium, culminating in our final stops in Achterveld and Amsterdam for the Liberation of Holland celebrations.

Their battlefield tour consists mostly of currently serving and retired Canadian Forces members, of which many are veterans of more recent wars (none from WWI or WWII unfortunately) as well as a number of honoured guests and civilian members. The pipe band members consist of 3 pipers and 4 drummers (3 side drums, 1 bass drum) who are all currently serving in the Canadian Forces.

article submitted by Viet-phi-Vo, Searforth Highlanders of Canada

Thank you for your service on behalf of the B.C. Pipers’ Association