George Richardson (ice hockey)

George Richardson
Hockey Hall of Fame, 1950
Photograph of George Taylor Richardson, c.1914
Born	(1886-09-14)September 14, 1886 Kingston, ON, CAN
Died	February 9, 1916(1916-02-09) (aged 29) Alveringem, Belgium
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position	Left Wing
Shot	Left
Played for	Queen's University Kingston Frontenacs
Playing career	1902–1912

George Taylor Richardson (September 14, 1886 – February 10, 1916) was a Canadian ice hockey player in the era before professional ice hockey. Richardson played for Queen's University. George was regarded as one of the best hockey players of his era, either professional or amateur. After graduating from Queen's, Richardson joined the family grain-handling business. He later became a hockey executive. During World War I, Richardson enlisted in the army and died in action in Belgium.

Richardson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1950 ^[1] and into the Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.^{[2] [3]}

Personal life

George Taylor Richardson was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario, son of George Richardson, grandson of the founder of James Richardson and Sons, James Richardson. He attended Queen's University and in 1906, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. Upon completion of his studies, George became a member of his family's firm, James Richardson & Sons, a great grain-forwarding business with warehouses from Vancouver to Halifax. At the time of his death, he was survived by his sister, Agnes, brother, James and an uncle, H.W. Richardson, who was like a father to him.^[4]

Playing career

Richardson played from 1902 to 1906 with the Queen's University Golden Gaels. During his years with Queen's, the team won the Intercollegiate Championship of America in 1903, and the Canadian Intercollegiate championship in 1904 and 1906. In 1906, Richardson played for the team that won the Ontario Hockey Association title, then challenged the Ottawa Hockey Club for the Stanley Cup. Richardson then joined the Kingston 14th Regiment senior team, for whom he played until 1909. The Regiment team played in the OHA finals from 1907 through 1909, winning in 1908. Richardson then joined the Kingston Frontenacs club as an executive of the junior team, and played a few games with the Frontenacs senior team, first in exhibition games in 1909-10, and playoff games in 1911-12.

Soldier

World War I was declared in Canada in August 1914 and Richardson joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F) on September 22, 1914 (enlisted at Valcartier). Already an officer in the 14th P.W.O. (Prince of Wales' Own Regiment), he was initially a Lieutenant. He was promoted to Captain as a result of being the sole survivor in the battle of Saint-Julienin Number 2 Company.^[5] Originally wounded during the battle of Langemarck, he refused to go to the hospital.

Circumstances of death

He was killed in action February 9, 1916 (only 8 months after the death of fellow hockey great, and Kingstonian, Allan McLean "Scotty" Davidson). During the night on February 8th/9th, under his command, an operation was being carried out near Wulverghem. An advance party dispatched with explosives to destroy enemy wire. The operation was suspended due to a change in weather conditions. Captain Richardson went out to retrieve the explosives but was shot three times by enemy rifle fire. Wounds included broken hips and a hit to the abdomen. He received immediate medical attention but only survived four hours.^[6]

Burial and posthumous awards

Captain Richardson is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in Bailleul, France in plot 2, row B, grave 74.^[6] or grave 2027.^[7] George Richardson was with "E" Company, 2nd Battalion of the C.E.F. and (prior to the outbreak of war), an officer in the 14th He was awarded La Légion d'honneur Croix de Guerre by the President of the French Republic (announced in Ottawa, March 19, 1916).^[8] Captain Richardson is listed on page 154 of the Book of Remembrance for the First World War.^[9]

Captain Richardson bequeathed $15,000 to Queen's University for athletic facilities, $35,000 to the City of Kingston for charities and bathing facilities, $30,000 as an educational trust for the children of men in his company wounded or killed in battle.^[10]

Awards and honours

• 1916 - Awarded La Légion d'honneur Croix de Guerre by France
• 1920 - Richardson Stadium at Queen's named in his honour

Career statistics

References

1. ↑ Richardson at Legends of Hockey. Retrieved Nov. 01, 2007.
2. ↑ Kennedy, Patrick (16 Jan 2015). "Kingston & District Sports Hall of Fame". The Kingston Whig. 
3. ↑ "Captain George Richardson". Kingston & District Sports Hall of Fame. Kingston & District Sports Hall of Fame. 
4. ↑ http://db.archives.queensu.ca/queens_remembers/Richardson,%20George%20Taylor_BSc%201906/Obit,%20Whig%2012%20Feb%201916.jpg
5. ↑ Canadian Virtual War Memorial
6. 1 2 "Circumstances of Death Registers, First World War". Circumstances of Death Registers, First World War. Library and Archives Canada. 
7. ↑ Commonwealth War Graves Registers, First World War
8. ↑ Queen's Remembers: First World War George Taylor Richardson Image Gallery http://db.archives.queensu.ca/queens_remembers/Richardson,%20George%20Taylor_BSc%201906/richardson,george.html
9. ↑ WWI Book of Remembrance
10. ↑ "Capt. Richardson Remembered Men". Toronto World. 5 March 1916. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to George Richardson (ice hockey).

• George Richardson's biography at Legends of Hockey
• George Richardson at Find a Grave
• Queen's Remembers: First World War
• Commonwealth War Graves Registers
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• Canada Virtual War Memorial
• Circumstances of Death Registers, Library and Archives Canada