Canada, CEF. A Group to Driver Elmer Leroy Richardson, 48th Howitzer Battery, 2nd Brigade

British War Medal (341869 DVR. E. RICHARDSON. C.F.A.); and Victory Medal (341869 DVR. E. RICHARDSON. C.F.A.). Naming is officially impressed. Un-mounted, dark patina on the BWM, very light contact, replacement ribbons, near extremely fine.

 

 

Accompanied by his original Discharged Certificate (printed in black ink on a moisture-resistant off-white paper stock, measuring 202 mm (w) x 228 mm (h), fold marks); his Dispersal Certificate (printed in black ink on a white paper stock, measuring 202 mm (w) x 252 mm (h), fold marks); his S.S. Baltic Return to Canada Dining Room Seating Card (printed in black ink on a red card stock, inscribed "Berth 254" and "Table Number 33", measuring 125 mm (w) x 75 mm (h)); his Certificate of Confirmation (stating that he was confirmed at St. James Church in Merritton, Ontario on Sunday, April 6, 1924, printed in red, blue, black and gold inks, on a white card stock, measuring 126 mm (w) x 176 mm (h)); a Canadian Corps Championships, France, Dominion Day, July 1st, 1918 Program (printed in black ink on a white paper stock, measuring 137 mm (w) x 182 mm (h), fold marks, tattered); two 48th Howitzer Battery, Canadian Field Artillery Veteran's Armbands (first armband with "48" over "C.F.A." screen-printed in gold-coloured ink on a red wool patch, with a white wool release backer, sewn in place to a red wool base, two safety pins securing the two ends together, measuring 420 mm (w) x 93 mm (h); second armband with "D48" over "C.F.A." screen-printed in black ink on a red wool patch, sewn in place to a brownish-green wool base, measuring 400 mm (w) x 97 mm (h)); a YMCA New Testament (dated August 15, 1914 with a message in black handwritten ink on the inside front cover, measuring 65 mm (w) x 98 mm (h) x 11 mm (d)); a Trench Art Matchbook Cover (in brass, with an insignia taken from a German belt buckle affixed to the front panel, measuring 60.5 mm (w) x 41.5 mm (h) x 20 mm (d)); a Canadian Field Artillery Cap Badge (two-piece construction, in bronze, measuring 65 mm (w) x 48.5 mm (h), intact slider); a Canadian Field Artillery Good Luck Lapel Badge (two-piece construction, in bronze gilt with red, white and blue enamels, measuring 27 mm (w) x 30 mm (h), horizontal pinback); six Photographs (black and white, matte finish, four of which are named to Elmer Leroy Richardson on their reverses, two with a postcard style backer, various sizes); along with his brother Lloyd Richardson's (1262295) Canadian Expeditionary Force Pay Book (measuring 105 mm (w) x 140 mm (h)). 

 

 

Footnote: Elmer Leroy Richardson was born on August 6, 1897 in Merritton, Ontario (now part of St. Catharines), the son of Charles H. Richardson and Emma Richardson. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Driver (341869) with the 71st Overseas Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, on June 8, 1916, in St. Catharines, Ontario, at the age of 18, naming his next-of-kin as his father, Charles Richardson of Merritton, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married, that his religion was Methodist and that his trade was that of Machinist. He embarked Canada aboard the S.S. Olympic on July 23, 1916, arriving in England on the 31st, where he was taken on strength at Shorncliffe. After three and a half months in England and attached to the Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column (CDAC), Driver Richardson was posted to the 2nd Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery on November 13, 1916 for service in the French theatre. In France, he would serve with the 48th Howitzer Battery, 2nd Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, joining his new unit on November 22nd. Driver Richardson was found in contravention of C.R.O. 1095 and sentenced to 3 days' Field Punishment No. 1 on August 31, 1917. Field Punishment No. 1 consisted of the convicted man being placed in fetters and handcuffs or similar restraints and attached to a fixed object, such as a gun wheel or a fence post, for up to two hours per day. During the early part of the First World War, the punishment was often applied with the arms stretched out and the legs tied together, giving rise to the nickname "crucifixion". A little over four months later, he ran afoul of the authorities again, as he was sentenced to 28 days' Field Punishment No. 1 on January 4, 1918, for being absent without leave from 9 p.m. on December 21, 1917 until 7 p.m. on December 31, 1917, along with forfeiting 11 days' pay. Driver Elmer Leroy Richardson was with the 48th Howitzer Battery and was enjoying a well-deserved restful leisure period, when he suffered an accident. "While training another man, (he) struck him in the eye accidentally", as he was "hit by a baseball bat in the right eye while playing baseball for pastime". This ruptured the choroid in his right eye (the vascular layer of the eye, containing connective tissues, and lying between the retina and the sclera), causing him to experience "defective vision", as well as "a lacerated right eye and cheek". He was admitted to No. 2 Canadian Field Ambulance on July 7, 1918 and after a week, was transferred to No. 14 Canadian Field Ambulance on July 14th. This was followed by his return eight days later to No. 2 Canadian Field Ambulance on July 22nd, then returned to No. 14 Canadian Field Ambulance for another nine day stay on July 31st. After four weeks recuperation, he was discharged from hospitalization on August 29th and rejoined his unit the following day. Upon the ceasing of hostilities, he proceeded to England on March 19, 1919. It was here that his injury was re-assessed at Bramshott on March 28th, the attending Medical Board declaring him "Category B", okay for service aboard. He embarked Canada from Liverpool, England aboard the S.S. Baltic on April 29, 1919 and was discharged upon demobilization at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, Ontario on May 9, 1919, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 281440. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Elmer Leroy Richardson died on March 19, 1972 at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, at the age of 74. His older brother, Lloyd Richardson, was born on September 8, 1896 in Merritton, Ontario, the son of Charles H. Richardson and Emma Richardson. He signed his Attestation Paper as a new recruit (1262295) with the 4th Divisional Ammunition Sub-Park, on March 25, 1916, in St. Catharines, Ontario, at the age of 19, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Mrs. Charles (Emma) Richardson of Merritton, stating that he had six months previous service with the 19th Lincoln Regiment Bugle Band, that he was not married, that his religion was Methodist and that his trade was that of Electrician. He embarked Canada aboard the S.S. Adriatic on May 19, 1916, arriving in England on the 30th, where he was taken on strength by the Canadian Army Service Corps. He was transferred to the 4th Division A.S.P. for service in the French theatre on August 11, 1916, arriving in Le Havre on the 12th and after two years with the CEF, he was awarded one Good Conduct Badge on March 25, 1918. Lloyd Richardson was sentenced to forfeit 14 days' pay on December 27, 1918, due to "conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline" while in billet, for failing to attend the Orderly Room on the 26th, as previously agreed upon with his Commanding Officer. He sailed from Canada from Liverpool, England aboard the S.S. Royal George on June 7, 1919 and was discharged upon demobilization at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, Ontario on June 18, 1919, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 219145. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.