First World War Hero's
Pipes Returned to B.C.
VICTORIA - Premier Gordon Campbell and Speaker Bill Barisoff will formally receive the bagpipes of James Richardson, the only Canadian Piper to receive the Victoria Cross, in a special repatriation ceremony at the provincial legislature, where the pipes will be put on public display.
The ceremony will include the Canadian Scottish Regiment Pipes and Drums, members of the Richardson family, and representatives of the Canadian Club who arranged for the return of the pipes from Scotland.
Two provincial Liberals travelled to Scotland to pick up a set of historic bagpipes. Solicitor-General John Les and Environment Minister Barry Penner went to collect the pipes belonging to the First World War hero Piper James Richardson.
In 2003, the Vancouver branch of the Canadian Club paid for a member of the Victoria-based Canadian Scottish Regiment to travel to a small Scottish school to confirm reports that Richardson's muddy and broken pipes were displayed there.
The tip was accurate, and so began a three-year process to return the pipes to B.C. On October 8, the 90th anniversary of Richardson's grim death, Penner, Les and a member of the Canadian Club met with representatives of the Ardvreck School and received the pipes. The Canadian Club bought the pipes to be donated to the province. The will be on permanent display at the Chilliwack Museum.
|
