Canadian War Veterans Memorial Project
Commemorating those that served
Commemorating those that served
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Capt. George Taylor Richardson was a native of Kingston, Ontario, and famed as a hockey player. He died of wounds on 09 February 1916 while serving with the 2nd Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment. He is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France.
A Toronto Star article from 04 May 1917 included the information that Richardson had left $15,000 to Queen's University for art and athletics, $5,000 for bathing facilities for Kingston, $30,000 to city charities, and $30,000 as trust for the education of the children of married men of his company of the 2nd Battalion who were killed or disabled.
His portrait appeared in the well-known six volume series on Canada in the First World War published by United Publishers in the 1920s.
Dated: April 5, 1916
GET KISS OF FRANCE AND CROSS AS WELL FOR THEIR BRAVERY
SPLENDING GALLANTRY OF CANADIANS AT THE FRONT IS RECOGNIZED BY FRENCH GOVERNMENT
London, March 22. -- "The French military authorities, who have long admired the splendid gallantry of the Canadian forces, gave public proof of their appreciation two days ago by decorating a number of officers and men with their legion of honor1 and military medal," says a despatch from Philip Gibbs in the Daily Telegraph today.
"A great Canadian guard of honor, with two brass bands and the pipers of the Canadian Scots, was drawn up in the square of an old Flemish town. Opposite them was a column of French infantry. A group of generals and staff officers and non-commissioned officers who were to receive the decorations were in a separate place. It seemed strange that Canadian soldiers should be here to receive the kiss of a French general as he passed along their lines with his staff, while the bands played the 'Marseillaise'and the general commanding the Canadian corps inspected the French troops.
PINS ON CROSS.
"Then the tri-color was brought forward by a guard of honor, and with that symbol of the spirit of France unfurled in the gray old market place, the French general pinned the legion of honour and the military medal on the breast of the men marked out for the honor and saluted them with that kiss which France gives to those who defend her honor."
"Canada will be proud of her soldiers who now wear the ribbons of French chivalry. They have won them by good and brave work on the field of honor."
"For one of them, Capt. George Taylor Richardson, of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, the cross of chivalry in the legion of honor came too late except as a memorial of his gallantry, for which he was killed on February 9."
1Spelling as per original publication.
Transcribed by: M. I. Pirie