TOPIC:

It has been well over 6 weeks since I posted an article regarding Pte. Richardson.
As the proud custodian of his medal, I would like to furnish some more detail about Pte. Richardson.
This medal was part of the Jack Webb collection and was being sold by DNW with very little information pertaining to Richardson, except for the footnote he was severely wounded at Wagon Hill.
I asked the question to my fellow forummers regarding this information and it transpires that there was some uncertainty on the provenance of this claim. I did find a poem from the Leicester regiment which claimed 70 of us held our own when they made the fierce attack. However, it was of the belief that the 70 men were not Leicester’s but other British soldiers who were at Wagon Hill.
Here are a few extracts from some of my research I would like to share: -

Louis Creswicke- Volume 3 Page 88/89
Elsewhere there had also been bloody doings. The enemy had even tried to force their way into town, and from here they were chased by the gallantry and daring of the Gloucester, Leicester and Liverpool Regiments. The Boers were forced to retire, but even in their retirement they showed characteristic “slimness” as they made their way in line with the neutral camp at Intombi Spruit.

Thomas Pakenham – Boer War page 273.
There was a more determined attack on Colonel Francis Howard’s section at Observation Hill. But this, too, was beaten off almost without loss to the defenders, though the Boers left 20 men on the hillside.

With the Flag to Pretoria – Volume 2 page 520

To the North of Ladysmith, the Boers had attacked Observation Hill and Helpmakaar Hill. Against Helpmakaar Hill they made little more than a demonstration, but Observation Hill, held by the Leicester’s, Liverpool’s, and a detachment of the Devon’s and Rifle Brigade there was sharp fighting.A tremendous shell fire was directed by the enemy upon the British positions and about 9am the Boers endeavoured to charge home. They reached a point only 15 yards from the outermost British works, but once there they could go no farther and lost at once their leader Commandant Scutte. They kept up a long-range fire upon the hill all day. The situation in this quarter caused no further anxiety.

Maurice Volume 2 Chapter 31 page 570

Only against Observation Hill was there anything like a serious attack. Here the enemy advanced boldly under cover of a sustained bombardment, pressing on to within a few yards of the trenches, only to be beaten back with considerable loss by the detachment of the 1st Devon regiment, supported by three companies’ 1st Leicester regiment, and the guns of the 69th battery. Nevertheless, a heavy shell fire fell into nearly every British position about the town, and all the troops were kept in their sangars throughout the day.

Casualties 6th January 1900- Killed 14 Officers, 135 NCO’s and men. Died of wounds- 3 Officers, 23 NCO’s and men. Wounded – 28 Officers, 221 NCO’s and men. Total 424.

I do believe that Private John Richardson was severely wounded at Observation Hill and my records and paper work will reflect this. I have some more detective work to do regarding John Richardson. But I do know he was invalided home on the 4th of April 1900. Unfortunately, John’s luck was not on his side. He later joined the 2nd Battalion Leicester regiment and he died on the 18th August 1907 while serving in India (Belgaum) to be precise. His personal effects and monies were divided between his mother and two sisters. He joined the army in 1897, he was a labourer and resided in Carrington. (more research required, Carrington - Cheshire, Lincolnshire or Nottinghamshire?? & his time in India)

So, to conclude and hopefully put the record straight, when I pop my clogs (which, hopefully won’t be anytime soon) and my nearest and dearest traipse off to the nearest auction house to sell off my medal collection, at least the entry for Private Richardson’s medal will be correct and advertised accordingly. Severe Casualty Observation Hill…………unless, anyone out there can prove otherwise? :