Rememberance Day At MEI

This last week on the campaign trail has been grueling; my day begins at 4:30 a.m. and often doesn’t end until 10 p.m., Needless to say, I am looking forward to November 19, when life will return to something more normal. However, today, I carved out my morning to attend MEI’s Remembrance ceremony where my 10 year old grandson was part of the choir.

It is not often that I am moved to tears, but this morning was one of those times. Mrs. Welsh, delivered an amazing address about a Canadian soldier who died on October 8 or 9, 1916, during the battle of Ancre Heights at Regina Trench, Somme, France, during the First World War. James (Jimmy) Cleland Richardson, received the highest and most prestigious award for British and Commonwealth forces, the Victoria Cross.

He was 20 years old, born in Scotland and a resident of Vancouver, and then later in Chilliwack. He was a Piper in the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. During the Battle of Ancre Heights, the company was held up by very strong wire and came under intense fire. Piper Richardson, left the trench and piped along the fence line playing his pipes. This so inspired the troops that they rushed the enemy’s position and captured them. Sometime later, the piper was detailed to help with the wounded and some prisoners and realized that he had left his pipes behind and insisted on going back to retrieve his pipes…he was never seen again.

Richardson’s pipes were thought to be lost in the mud of the Somme for almost 90 years until 2002, when a Pipe Major responded to an internet posting and discovered that Richardson’s pipes were not lost. A British Army Chaplain, Major Edward Yeld Bate had found the pipes in 1917 and brought them home after the war to a school in Scotland where he was a teacher. Through a series of events, the pipes were identified as belonging to Richardson. An anonymous donor facilitated the purchase of the pipes on behalf of the citizens of Canada. In November of 2006, the pipes were repatriated to Canada and placed at the British Columbia Legislature as a reminder of a generation’s valor where they are on display.

Let us pay tribute and honor those who gave their lives in order that we might live in freedom and peace. Take time to tell a veteran, how much you appreciate their service to this great country of Canada.