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The Rt. Hon. Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal, C.G.M.G.
High Commissioner for Canada
London, England


SPITZKOP
20th. September 1900.

My Dear Lord Strathcona,

Many thanks for your kind message of congratulatiuons to Sergt. Richardson on his being awarded the Victoria Cross. He wishes me to thank you most sincerely for the trouble you have taken to let him know.

I may add that the whole regiment are pleased with the message, and hope that some of them may yet be so fortunate as to have such an opportunity. The Regiment will no doubt have a number of men recommended for the medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field. I intend to submit some names to Lord Dundonald who is himself very anxious to see that justice is done to all.

Hoping that you are enjoying the best of health, I am,

Respectfully yours,
(Signed) S. B. STEELE

Hello Mike,
I managed to miss this post somehow!
Arthur Herbert Linsay Richardson VC




Now I must tell you that this man was a real hero to me as a child and from time to time I do go and take a look at his grave!
I think his horse was actually wounded too on the day in question was it not?
I guess this is one of the main reasons why I greatly admire Strathcona's Horse, they were all magnificent!
I remember getting my grubby little hands on an original tiny Boer War Strathcona's badge when I was little more than a boy, oh Mike, the sheer thrill as I touched it and the thought that it would have been out there on the veldt, all those years ago!
Thanks for posting this Mike!
Regards Frank

Good Morning Frank.....

Yes the Strathcona's Horse were a very different unit and in a way quite unique.....

I have always loved working with the Regiment and their Regimental Museum here in Calgary.

At the present time I am working on re typing their Daily Routine Orders and War Diary from the formation of the Regiment to their Disbandment on to a disk.

I have actually held Richardson's VC in my hands (with gloves on of course) and I know the kind of chill that runs up and down your back when you do....

The badge that you held, do you still have it???? There is very little in difference in size between the cap and the collar badges.....

Here is an original print of a painting done by of all people a U.S. Brewery of Richardson winning his VC..... By original it was one of the prints made at the turn of the century and not a modern one, the frame is period original as well with the company name on the back.....

Enjoy

Mike

P.S. Forgot to add this post:

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/16-on-this-da...ug-5th-1900-part-two

Hello Mike,
That is a very nice print and I actually like it it more for the frame than for the picture which has a rather crude look about it ( note only in my opinion! ) however, I do, also, very much like the picture, it shows all that needs to be seen and the viewer can only imagine the scene on the veldt at that particular moment in time! an American brewery you say? well, I'd be very pleased with it if I were you, I would find a place, here, for another, if I ever encounter one!

I can understand why Strathcona's is so special to you, for me, I guess it would be the original regt that means so much, I think they were all cowboys and stockmen, moreover, am I right in thinking they all carried a single action army Colt?

You are indeed lucky to have handled Richardson's Victoria Cross and I can imagine how you felt, yes I still have that tiny Strathcona's
Here it is, very best regards Frank

Good Evening Frank.....

F.Y.I.

The cap badge is 32mm high and 19mm wide

The collar badge is 25mm x 15mm

Mike

Hello Mike,
Yes, the differance in size is noteworthy, I do have several examples of both, though, they do seem very hard to find these days!
Kind regards Frank.