Source: Originally attested, per the 1915 Nominal Roll, as a Sergeant. Was promoted to Temp. Lieutenant May, 1916 (per War Diary).
Distinguished Service Order, Mentioned in Despatches.
Family Search: When Major John James Richardson was born on 31 October 1890, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, United Kingdom, his father, George Reid Richardson, was 29 and his mother, Mary Agnes Little, was 25. He immigrated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1911. He registered for military service in 1914. In 1914, at the age of 24, his occupation is listed as electrician in Galt, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. He died on 29 May 1960, in Preston, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, at the age of 69, and was buried in Preston Cemetery, Preston, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Distinguished Service Order, Mention in Despatches
Lt. John James Richardson, Inf.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. When his senior officers had become casualties, he led his men with great courage and determination to the final objective, and consolidated the position. Later, he captured many prisoners.
Source: London Gazette issue 29824 page 11044 dated November 14, 1916.
Obituary courtesy of Darryl Bonk
John J. Richardson
PRESTON — John James Richardson, 69, of 140 Church St. North, Preston, died today at his home. Born in Dumfries, Scotland, he lived in Preston for 15 years, prior to that he resided in Toronto and Kitchener. He was formerly employed with the provincial government in Toronto and the Royal Trust Company there. While serving as a major overseas in the First World War, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross. He was a past president of the Canadian Legion in Kitchener and a member of the Preston Legion. He was affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. Surviving are his wife, the former Barbara Nispe; one sister, Mrs. Harold (Hilda) Ballantyne of Kitchener and two sisters in Scotland. The funeral will be conducted Monday at 2 p.m. at the Stager-Barthel Funeral Home. Burial will be in Preston Cemetery. The body is at the Stager-Barthel Funeral Home.
Source: Kitchener-Waterloo Record. 27 May 1960. pg 7. Note the mention of the Military Cross as being awarded to this man is incorrect. From his World War 1 service record he earned the DSO and a MID.
| To: O.C. Commanding York [18th Bn.] | From: J.J. Richardson[i], Objective 2nd Enemy Line |
| Time: 9.41 am. | Reference: 4th C.I.B. War Diary Appendix 109 dated September 15, 1916. |
| Message: Am building second line connecting shell holes 50 yards in rear of front line. Mr. Lloyd[ii] with B. Co. is looking after this. I myself have parts of A, C & D companies in front line.[iii] Have one Machine Gun (Boche) but don’t know how to work it. M.G. organization not very good, otherwise everything alright. Have good connection with H.L.I.[iv] on right and 20th Bn. on left. |
[i] Lieutenant J.J. Richardson was to earn the Distinguished Service Order. His citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry in action. When his senior officers had become casualties, he led his men with great courage and determination to the final objective, and consolidated the position. Later, he captured many prisoners. Source: London Gazette issue 29824 page 11044 dated November 14, 1916.
[ii] Lloyd, Ernest Robert Vivian: Service no. 53352 (Capt.)
[iii] This is an interesting statement by such a junior officer. It may indicate that the more senior officers of those companies have been disabled and he has assumed overall command of the companies due to casualties.
[iv] 10/11th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry of the 15th Scottish Division. On the 18th Battalions right.
Letters From The Front
The following letter was received by Mr. O. Thiel from Comp. Sgt. Maj. Jack Richardson, C.E.F. written somewhere in Belgium. Jack relates some of his experiences in the trenches and thanks the boys for the good things sent him. The letter:—
Somewhere in Belgium, Jan. 12, 1916
Dear Orie, I just write you these few lines to thank you very much for your kind parcel which I received in excellent condition. As Dutch is not here now, being in a hospital, I gave the cigarettes to Frank Orazek [Oraszek] and Ben Bayliss. I divided up the summer sausage with Jack Gehl, it certainly was all right. You might also thank the other fellows who put something in the parcel. I certainly appreciate anything from Berlin. I suppose you heard all about Jack Gerbig, and young Eric Carthy being killed. I saw them in the morgue. I was also at the burial services, we keep their graves nice and green, putting evergreens on when we get a chance. They are buried in our own Canadian cemetery away behind the firing lines.
By the way, Orie, I have been promoted to Coy. Sergeant Major so if you write me again you will have to address me as such. I am getting along fine out here, and might get a commission one of these days. I wish the war was finished, I have seen enough, now, they can send me back any old time they like. I am now the senior non-commissioned officer in D. Company, and over Q.M. Sergeant Lawrance. All the Berlin boys are well and wish to be remembered to you.
Well Orie I think I’ll go to bed now, don’t forget to write soon to your old pal Jack. C. Sergt. Maj.
Best regards to your Dad.
The following letter was received by Mr. Jack Reid from his friend Lance Corp. Jack Gehl. The letter is written somewhere in Belgium on the firing line, and reads as follows:—
Somewhere in Belgium, Jan. 12, 1916
Dear Jack, Received your most welcome letter some time ago and was very glad to hear from you.
Well Jack we have not had our six week’s rest yet, but we expect to get it before long. I am glad to hear that the Officers of the 118th Battalion are mostly local men; but I think that a battalion is better with strange officers. By the way is Archie Lockhart a major or a captain. Well Jack what do the Berlin people think of the soldiers since they got them in the W.G. and R. No doubt you have heard that Jack Gerbig and Carthy from Berlin have been bowled over. When Carthy was killed I was only about ten feet ahead of him, but I was not hit, although I was a little bit scared.
At present we are in a bush in Brigade reserve which consists of fatigues mostly night work. We are having quite fair weather, although it does rain almost every day. There has not been any snow so far, although we would love to see a good snow storm to remind us of Canada. Gee, I wish that I was back and you and I could have some good times again.
How is the grocery business these days. Eggs here are ninety cents a dozen, some price eh? but we do not worry about that for we simply do without them. Well, Jack, I think I will close, hoping this will find you in the best of health as it leaves me the same, although there are some insects that persist in sharing my shirt with me. Hoping to hear from you real soon again.
Yours Sincerely, Jack.
Berlin News Record 01 February 1916. Page 1.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 
John J. Richardson
PRESTON — John James Richardson, 69, of 140 Church St. North, Preston, died today at his home. Born in Dumfries, Scotland, he lived in Preston for 15 years, prior to that he resided in Toronto and Kitchener. He was formerly employed with the provincial government in Toronto and the Royal Trust Company there. While serving as a major overseas in the First World War, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross. He was a past president of the Canadian Legion in Kitchener and a member of the Preston Legion. He was affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. Surviving are his wife, the former Barbara Nispe; one sister, Mrs. Harold (Hilda) Ballantyne of Kitchener and two sisters in Scotland. The funeral will be conducted Monday at 2 p.m. at the Stager-Barthel Funeral Home. Burial will be in Preston Cemetery. The body is at the Stager-Barthel Funeral Home.
Kitchener-Waterloo Record 27 May 1960 pg 7
John,
I have included this obit in his soldier’s page. Thank you for submitting it. I believe you did that at Facebook.
Eric
This was my great uncle. His sister Hilda Ballantyne was my grandmother from Kitchener. She was married to Col. Harold Ballantyne. He had no children
Leslie,
IF you have any biographical information to add for this soldier I would much appreciate it. Also, be on the lookout as I am writing a blog post in which your relative is part of.
Eric