Sam Hanna Bell Samuel Beckett John Hewitt Bernard (Barney) Hughes James Joseph Magennis VC Frances Elizabeth Clarke Stewart Parker William Carleton Rosamond Praegar

George Richardson VC (1831 - 1923):
Soldier


George Richardson was a soldier who saw service in the Indian Mutiny, as it is often known, of 1857 and was recommended for the Victoria Cross on four separate occasions; one was successful.

Richardson was originally from Derrylane, Killeshandra, County Cavan, son of John Richardson, a linen weaver, and his wife Annie. Richardson served in the local militia before enlisting in the 34th Regiment of Foot (known as the Cumberland Regiment) in late 1855. On 27th April 1859 his regiment was engaging the enemy at Kewanie, Trans-Gogra, when a Lieutenant Laurie found himself in danger of being overwhelmed by enemy forces. Richardson though wounded badly in the arm, was able to rescue Laurie and even take an enemy prisoner. For this action he was finally awarded his VC (Gazetted 1 November 1859) and became an out-pensioner of the Royal Military Hospital, Chelsea, on 31 July 1860. 

In 1860 he returned to Killeshandra where in 1861 he joined the Orange Order. The following year he emigrated to Canada, settled in Montreal and worked as a coachman. In 1865 he enlisted in the Prince of Wales Royal Rifles, at that time concerned with Fenian (Irish Republican) activities in Canada. He was to live out his life in Canada, dying in Westminster Hospital, London, Ontario. He was buried with full military honours in the Veterans’ Section, Prospect Cemetery, Toronto. A memorial stone was dedicated on 10 November 1939.



Born: 1 August 1831
Died: 28 January 1923
Richard Froggatt
Bibliography:

“Ulster and Canada”, pamphlet, Ulster-Scots Community Network; Richard Doherty & David Truesdale: Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Dublin, 2000)