True and Fascinating Canadian History
Reg.#3058, Sergeant Major
Arthur Herbert Lindsay Richardson. VC
A Special Date in RCMP History
July 5 marks the anniversary of the date in 1900 on which Sergeant Major Arthur Herbert Lindsay Richardson, a member of the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP), earned the Victoria Cross for his bravery during the South African War while serving with Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians).
On July 5 2015, the Canadian Armed Forces invited the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to stand as Sentry Duty at Canada’s National War Memorial, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This date marked a significant event in the history of the RCMP -- and an opportunity to commemorate the life of Sergeant Major Richardson.
While on Sentry Duty, the RCMP carried lances. The lance is a cavalry arm that was used by the North West Mounted Police, a cavalry unit, in the early years. The RCMP now use the lances purely for ceremonial purposes. The Musical Ride is a perfect example of this, and we also carry lances on foot during special circumstances, Sentry Duty at the National War Memorial being one.
RCMP members on Sentry Duty were also armed (full Sam Browne).
is one of the highest honours for any Unit.
Arthur Richardson was born in Southport, England, in September 1873. He came to Canada in 1894 and joined the North-West Mounted Police. When the South African War began in 1899, Richardson obtained leave from the NWMP to enlist in Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians).
Sergeant Major Richardson earned the Victoria Cross on July 5, 1900, at Wolve Spruit in South Africa. When he spotted a wounded Canadian trooper whose horse had been shot, he rode through heavy crossfire to within 300 metres of the enemy in order to rescue his friend.
He returned to the North West Mounted Police after the War and eventually reached the rank of Sergeant-Major. Sergeant Major Richardson was discharged from the NWMP on medical grounds in 1907 due to poor health. He then returned to England.
Years later, after his discharge from the Mounted Police, another man named Arthur Richardson, a corporal in the Gordon Highlanders of the British Army, began posing as the Victoria Cross recipient. One day, a funeral was held for the imposter and he was buried with military honours. Meanwhile, the real Sergeant Major Arthur Richardson had actually marched in the imposter's funeral cortège. As a result of the incident, the real Richardson rose to a certain new level of prominence.
Sergeant Major Arthur Herbert Lindsay Richardson of the NWMP died on December 15, 1932. He was buried in The Cathedral Church of Christ Cemetery, Liverpool, England.
as it marked an important date in RCMP history.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has a long standing historical relationship with the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. The two organizations have worked together on a variety of fronts over the years, at the RCMP Sunset Ceremonies, the Halifax Tattoo, the RCMP Musical Ride and Central Band of the Canadian Forces, and as fellow peacekeepers in Haiti to name a few.
Ottawa Police Service provide security to all Units standing sentry at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The notes used in this piece were provided courtesy of my good friend S/Sgt. Dan Mayer of the RCMP posted to National Division, Ottawa, ON. Thank you.
Reporting from the Fort,
J. J. Healy
July 5, 2015
