David Richardson was born at Peebleshire, Scotland, February 23, 1867 and raised at Mailingsland. He apprenticed in the hardware firm of W & R Moffat where he remained for six years. In 1886 David Richardson joined the Lanarkshire Police and on August 14, 1891, married Mary Prosser, born at Peebleshire, January 2, 1866. Richardson's service with the Lanarkshire police force culminated with his appointment as Police Inspector and Fire Chief for Rutherglen District. 

In 1913, David Richardson with his children, James Cleland (age 17 1/2), Alice (age 15 1/2) and David (age 13 1/2) sailed from Glasgow, Scotland via Molville, Ireland to Canada. On May 23, 1913 they arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia, aboard the S.S. Parisian. They then journeyed across Canada by train to Vancouver.

In August 1913 while in Vancouver, David Richardson secured the Chilliwack Chief of Police position and moved to Chilliwack. David's wife, Mary arrived in Quebec two months later on October 13, 1913 aboard the S.S. Pretorian.

With Mary were her daughters Mary (age 20), Isabel (age 8), Janet (age 3) and son Robert (age 6). One child Alexa (age 10 in 1913) remained in Scotland for several years, but came to Canada in 1949, initially living in Chilliwack with her parents.

James Cleland Richardson, the eldest son, was born November 25, 1895 at Bellshill, Lanarkshire where he was active as a member of the Boy Scouts.  In Canada he stayed with his family in Vancouver but it is unlikely that he moved with them to Chilliwack. James Richardson worked in a False Creek factory in Vancouver, where in 1914 he first distinguished himself by attempting to save the life of a boy who had fallen and drowned in the creek. As well, Richardson was a member of Vancouver's 72nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders Cadet Corps pipe band. However, though living in Vancouver James Richardson played the pipes on special occasions in Chilliwack.

James Richardson was an excellent piper and on July 1, 1914 won three first place prizes in the bagpipe competition at the Scottish Sports Day event held in Victoria. James Richardson was not the only piper in the family as his brother David Richardson played the pipes at several family gatherings. Although not recorded by name, one of Chief Richardson's daughters was considered the best highland dancer at St. Andrew's night in December 1915.

With the outbreak of war James Richardson joined the "Seaforths" as part of that unit's first detachment and left for Valcartier, Quebec. Absorbed by the 16th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, James Richardson became one of 110 "originals" of the newly formed 16th Battalion. As a Piper with the 16th (Canadian) Scottish Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, James Richardson was awarded the Victoria Cross, the British Commonwealth's highest decoration for gallantry in the face of the enemy.

The award was made for rallying his company, October 8, 1916, at Regina Trench, on the Somme, France. After Richardson's company went "over the top" they were held up by concentrations of barbed wire and subjected to intense enemy fire. Richardson played his pipes while walking outside the wire, thereby inspiring his company to successfully rush and capture the position. Later, the same day, Richardson assisted a wounded comrade and was escorting enemy prisoners when he realized he had left his pipes behind. In attempting to retrieve the pipes he was lost in action. He was later buried at Adanac Military Cemetery, France. Richardson was 20 years old.

In April 1919, David and Mary Richardson were summoned to Victoria to receive from Lieutenant Governor Barnard, their son's posthumous Victoria Cross. The decoration was presented to David Richardson in the Ritz Hotel, then being used as a Knight's of Columbus Army "Hut". Upon the Richardson's return to Chilliwack the Victoria Cross was exhibited in a local store window.

David Richardson left the police force in 1920 and became the janitor at Chilliwack High School. Known as "Chief" he was a prominent mason, a supporter of the St. Andrew's and Caledonia Society; a member of Cooke's Presbyterian Church and a founding member of the Chilliwack Lawn Bowling Club. He died in February 1955. Mary Richardson, who claimed she was just a housekeeper, was active in the Women's Missionary Society of Cooke's Presbyterian Church. Mary Richardson died in June 1956.

During their lifetime James’ parents participated in two memorable events including the 1936 Vimy Pilgrimage when both David and Mary Richardson together with their daughter Alice and son David Jr. attended the unveiling of the Vimy War Memorial. At that time they visited the grave of their son and sibling at Adanac Military Cemetery. In 1939 during the Royal Visit both David and Mary were presented to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in Chilliwack.