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Dec 21, 1893
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Born in England
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Jun 4, 1915
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Attested into the 37th Battalion CEF
at the Niagara, Ontario Camp under the name of Bert Richardson
Ø Number 408193
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs.
Gorman, sister, Merrickville, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as
Labourer
Ø No previous military
experience given
Ø Religion given as Church of
England
Ø Assigned to the battalion’s 2nd
Regimental Draft
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Aug 17, 1915
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The battalion’s 2nd Reinforcing Draft
embarked the SS Hesperian in Montreal, Quebec
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Aug 28, 1915
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Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded
to Shorncliffe where the entire draft was absorbed into the 17th
Reserve Battalion to continue training
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Dec 17, 1915
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Sentenced to 27 days Field Punishment #2 and
forfeited 27 days pay for being absent
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Feb 3, 1916
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Transferred to the 21st Battalion
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Feb 5, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the
Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st
Battalion
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Feb 17, 1916
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After leaving the base depot, Private Richardson
joined the 21st Battalion in the N & O front line trench
system near Ridgewood, Belgium
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Sep 15, 1916
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The 21st Battalion was assigned the
objective of capturing the sugar factory south of Courcelette, France as part
of the battle of the Somme. This was a
strongly defended headquarters for the Germans and the fighting was
severe. It was the first occasion that
the newly invented tanks were to be used in combat. Private Richardson was killed in this
action and first reported missing, then when his body was found, he was
buried in nearby field by his comrades.
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The image below
shows the approximate location of his initial
burial location, just east of Pozieres, France
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When the war ended his identifiable remains could
not be found and his name is listed on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial,
Vimy Ridge, France for those killed during the war in France and have no
known grave
Following the war, the British War Medal and
Victory Medals were sent to Mr. Benjamin Topham, brother, 12 Rock St.,
Mansfield, England
There was no Memorial Cross issued
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Aug 3, 1929
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His true name is noted in the file and changed to
read Bernard Topham
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