RICHARDSON, Fred

War
1st World War
Date of Birth
Date Attested
Attested at
London, Ontario
Regimental Number
401169
Rank
Private
Date of Death
Age at Death
22 years 1 month
Biographical Summary

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        1st Canadian Infantry Division
                                             1st Infantry Brigade
                                             2nd Battalion  -  Eastern Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   401169 
DATE OF BIRTH:            March 17, 1895
                                             Endmoor – Preston Richard – Westmorland – Lancashire - England    
DATE OF DEATH:           May 3, 1917                         22 years     1 month
MEMORIAL:                    Vimy Memorial – Vimy
                                             Pas de Calais - France
PARENTS:                         Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Richardson – Kippen – Ontario
SISTER:                              Mrs. Mary Taylor – Kippen - Ontario
Occupation:                        Farmer                                  Religion:     Church of England     
Enlistment:                         January 21, 1915 – London – Ontario into 33rd Battalion    
Enlistment Age:                 19 years     10 months

Private Richardson was on board the SS Hesperian and embarked from Montreal on August 17, 1915 and arrived in England on August 26, 1915. He transfers to the 2nd Battalion and goes overseas into France on January 19, 1916.  He then is attached to the 3rd Canadian Tunneling Company on May 4, 1916. 
Private Richardson is gassed on September 24th and in invalided to England and upon his recovery is Taken on Strength by the 6th Reserve Battalion in East Sandling on January 31, 1917 and then transfers to 2nd Battalion and goes into France and arrives with his unit in the field on April 13, 1917.
At 1:30 am there was a strong enemy bombardment along the front as far west as the western end of Arleux and it ceases at 2:10 am.  At 3:00 am they bombarded again. At 3:45 am the advance moves forward, at 3:55 am the enemy retaliates with his artillery. At 4:45 am it is reported all is progressing well. At 6:12 am it is reported that No 2 & 4 Companies are digging in at their final objective and that there are flares on the 13th British Corps front. At 6:22 am it is reported that machine-gun and rifle fire is increasing on the 13th Corps.  At 6:34 am an enemy aeroplane dropped flares and shortly there was a heavy artillery barrage onto the front of the Division. At 6:45 am it is reported final objectives taken and that outposts are being set up. There is also a report that the 18 pounders of the Division are dropping their shells too close to the men of the Battalion digging in. At 9:00 am there is considerable and heavy enemy artillery fire on the Battalion front.  At 11:20 am No. 3 Company reports the enemy is beginning to mass in Bois Bernard and as well 500-600 yards west of the village. About this time word is received the British are dropping back from the enemy trenches. One of the Battalion Companies is to go to the Blue Objective and have two platoons bomb the enemy out. At 12:20 pm the Brigade artillery came down on the enemy counter-attack and the enemy broke off their advances. 
At 2:43 pm the artillery is asked to lengthen their barrage and sweep from 100 yars to 760 yars out from the Battalion front. At 3:07 pm the enemy begins shelling Arleux and the Brigade artillery replies. At 3:55 pm the artillery begins to slacken their fire but they are asked to keep a lookout for SOS flares.
At 2:30 pm supplies arrive as follows……No. 1 Company – 3,000 rounds Small Arms Ammunition and 72 Mills bombs; No 2 Company gets 6,000 rounds Small Arms Ammunition, 196 Mills bombs, 120 Willis bombs, 24 white Very Lights and 6 SOS lights; No. 3 Company receives 8,000 rounds Small Arms Ammunition, 240 Mills bombs and 24 white Very lights.
At 8:22 pm the Brigade begins to put over a light protective barrage. At 10:30 pm it is reported to be abdormaly quiet on the Battalion front. Casualties for the day were 350 men of all ranks. This is the battle in which Private Richardson lost his life performing his duties in battle during this attack north of Fresnoy.