OTTAWA – July 4, 2013 – Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) members dressed in Red Serge are standing sentry at Canada’s National War Memorial tomorrow to mark the anniversary of Sergeant Arthur Richardson, a member of the North-West Mounted Police, who earned the Victoria Cross for his bravery during the South African War.
“It is an honour for the RCMP to be asked to stand sentry at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” says Superintendent Greg Peters, the RCMP’s Director of Strategic Partnerships and Heritage Branch. “It is particularly special to the Force because of the anniversary date and the opportunity it affords to highlight Sergeant Richardson’s Victoria Cross.”
Arthur Richardson became a member of the North-West Mounted Police when he came to Canada from England in 1894. He was given leave from the police to enlist in Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) when the South African War began in 1899.
Sergeant Richardson earned the Victoria Cross on July 5, 1900, fighting at Wolve Spruit, South Africa, when he spotted a wounded Canadian trooper whose horse had been shot. Sergeant Richardson rode through heavy crossfire to rescue him. He returned to the Mounted Police after the war and eventually reached the rank of sergeant-major. He was discharged from the Force in 1907 due to poor health.
“The RCMP has a long standing relationship with the Department of National Defence (DND) that the Force cherishes,” says Superintendent Peters. “We have proudly served together and now have the honour of standing sentry at the tomb of a soldier who could be from any of the Forces,” he adds.
“The Ceremonial Guard is proud to share the role of honouring our fallen with the RCMP. Our partnership continues to strengthen as we work side by side both in Canada and on international operations,” says Brigadier General Omer Lavoie, Land Force Central Area Commander.
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