Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War 1944 ‘Italian Operations’ D.S.O. group of seven attributed to Brigadier-General C. A. Richardson, 14th Canadian Armoured Regiment, later Vancouver Militia Brigade, who served as Quartermaster during Operation Jubilee - the Dieppe Raid - 19 August 1942, where his ship was sunk beneath him, before recovering to lead his Regiment at the Battle of Monte Cassino, the crossing of the Arno, and the final advance through North West Europe

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse of suspension bar officially dated ‘1946’, with integral top riband bar; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with Overseas Service bar; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted court-style, nearly extremely fine (7)
£2000-2600

D.S.O. London Gazette 24 January 1946:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’

The recommendation states: ‘This officer has commanded 14 Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Calgary Regiment) since June 1944. During his term of command his regiment has been almost constantly in action, and has never failed to reach and hold its objectives. The unvarying success of the regiment has in a large measure been due to the magnificent leadership and example of Lieutenant-Colonel Richardson. Before every action he invariably conducted reconnaissance personally, both by day and by night, often under heavy and accurate mortar and shell fire. During the rapid pursuit of the enemy forces north of Lake Trasineno, Italy, between 1 and 4 July 1944, this officer moved with the most forward troops, and by his personal example and skilful direction enabled our pursuing forces to maintain contact, thus preventing the enemy from reorganising and re-establishing a defensive line. Under heavy fire of all natures he personally directed his Reconnaissance Troop on 2 and 3 July 1944, seizing three bridges over the Chiana Canal before these could be blown by the enemy, thus enabling the momentum of the advance to be continued. During the pursuit to the Arno River, on many occasions, he personally reconnaissanced routes of advance under mortar and shell fire enabling his tanks to cross country considered impassable for tanks, continuously surprising the enemy in this manner. Again during the fighting through the Gothic Line and the Apennines his personal reconnaissance, forward of the forward defended localities in heavily mined country, enabled his regiment to get forward in most difficult terrain and render support to the infantry of 8 Indian Division which resulted in the taking of many difficult features including San Bartolo Monte Carolino and Monte Budrialto. This officer's contempt of danger, personal fighting spirit, magnificent example and outstanding leadership have been an inspiration to his regiment and have directly contributed throughout the mixed and heavy fighting of the 1944 Italian campaign to successive defeats of the enemy.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 4 April 1946:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.’

Clinton Argue ‘Stoney’ Richardson was born in Vegreville, Alberta on 12 October 1908, the son of Silas Richardson, a justice of the peace in Vegreville. Clinton Richardson became the self-described ‘Playboy of Vegreville’, having bought a yellow Buick convertible, which he would later claim was the first ever seen in that part of the province. ‘He liked to brag that it was a great magnet to pick up girls, and he had many girlfriends’, stated Frank Luce, a Montreal friend. ‘At least, that's what he often told me.’
Joining the 14th Canadian Armoured Regiment (Calgary Regiment) in Red Deer, Alberta, Richardson was commissioned as a Temporary Lieutenant on 4 March 1941, acquiring the nickname ‘Stoney’. He sailed with his regiment for England on 21 June 1941, and joined the 3rd Canadian Division in September. Appointed Quartermaster in January 1942, he took part in the Dieppe Raid, Operation Jubilee, on 19 August 1942, where, as Quartermaster, he served on the Regimental Headquarters ship which was sunk, forcing him to dive into the sea, and undergoing a short but nerve-wreaking ordeal until he was rescued.
Transferring with his regiment to the 1st Canadian Division, he took part in the assault wave that landed on Sicily on 13 July 1943, and a short time later landed in Italy and quickly moved to the eastern side of the country. The regiment advanced across the Foggia Plain and were soon in action against the Germans, supported by the 8th Indian Division. Having previously been appointed to the command of “B” Squadron, Richardson was appointed second-in-command of the regiment in December 1943.
At Monte Cassino, Richardson’s unit crossed the Garigliano River, the turning point in both the battle and the wider struggle for Italy. ‘The Garigliano was tenaciously defended by the Germans. Tony Kingsmill, one of the young engineers under Mr. Richardson's command, began assembling a Bailey bridge, which was a pre-fabricated truss bridge, 500 metres from the riverbank. The Germans caught wind of the plan and threw “everything but the kitchen sink” at them. The Indian soldiers and engineers wanted to stop for regular tea breaks, and would listen only to Richardson. Meanwhile, work went on under heavy mortar fire. An idea was formulated by Kingsmill, to fix the bridge onto a tank which was then driven into the river. Under heavy fire, the crew bailed out at the last moment and swam back to shore. A second tank entered the river and pushed the first tank, along with the bridge, back into place. The regiment crossed the river that day and routed the shocked Germans on the other side. To this day, the bridge crossing the Garigliano is called the Kingsmill Bridge, and the manoeuvre is taught at Britain's Royal Military Academy. Richardson also had a bridge named after him, although for more ignominious reasons. Supporting the British infantry in July 1944, his tanks were prevented from advancing by a deep gully that was crossed by an unsafe old brick bridge. Told by his engineers that a replacement would take twelve hours to construct, he would have none of it. “The infantry were ... working their way across ... and shouting for much-needed tank support,” Richardson later wrote. “It was evident we must move immediately.” He ordered his first tank across the bridge, only to see it fall through, nose down, into the river below. At headquarters, Richardson received a reprimand but discovered that his commanding officer “was quite in agreement with my hasty decision.” Upon his return, he found a Bailey bridge in place. It had been christened “Stoney Bridge” and was emblazoned with a handmade sign depicting a tank crashing through.’
Breaking through the German Gustav Line in May 1944, Richardson and his men advanced to the Hitler Line against heavy opposition, helping to break that line too, although suffering multiple losses in tanks and men in the process. On 11 June 1944, he was promoted to Major, and given the command of the 14th Canadian Armoured Regiment. He was involved in further continuous fighting the following month, and for his outstanding leadership and personal bravery was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. On 25 August 1944, the regiment crossed the Arno under heavy shelling, and the following month he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and took command of the “Calgary Tanks”.
Richardson transferred with his regiment to Belgium in March 1945, as part of Operation Goldflake. In April 1945, they entered the Reichswald Forest and supported the infantry assault crossing of the River IJssel, continuing patrol work and contact actions with the enemy until V.E. Day on 8 May 1945, for which actions Richardson received a ‘Mention’. Following the end of the War the regiment returned to Calgary in December 1945, with about two hundred of all ranks marching through the streets of Calgary to a very warm reception. Moving to Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1948, he continued to serve in the military for several more years, culminating in his promotion to Brigadier-General in command of the Vancouver Militia Brigade in 1950. He died on 4 June 2007, at the age of 98.

Sold together with the recipient’s Bestowal Document for the D.S.O., named to Lieutenant-Colonel Clinton Argue Richardson, and dated 29 September 1945; Mentioned in Despatches Certificate, named to Lieut.-Colonel Clinton Argue Richardson, D.S.O., dated 4 April 1946; and the recipient’s Canadian Army Certificate of Service.