Edward later introduced Richardson to his sister, Vera Brittain, who became a close friend and confidante, particularly after the death of Roland Leighton.
[2] Nevinson complained that because he did not share this patriotism, he was "kicked, hounded, caned, flogged, hair-brushed, morning, noon and night.
"[2] The headmaster told them on Speech Day that "If a man can't serve his country he's better dead".
Soon after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, Richardson abandoned his studies to join the army and was commissioned as a second lieutenant with the Royal Sussex Regiment on 5 October 1914.
He wrote to Vera Brittain on 31 October, describing life in the front-line trenches; "It was very quiet and without much excitement.
Richardson admitted that the situation would change when he had to take part in the fighting; "I have so far come across nothing more gruesome than a few very dead Frenchman in No Man's Land, so cannot give you very thrilling descriptions.
The thing one appreciates in the life here more than anything else is the truly charming spirit of good fellowship and freedom from pettiness that prevails everywhere."
He told Vera Brittain that he expected to be involved in the planned major offensive that would end the war and hoped that he would "not come down at the last fence."
It was later reported that he "was leading his platoon was hit in the arm but took his coat off had the wound bandaged and went on; it was at the 2nd German line that he got the bullet through his head and the Colonel himself gave him morphia because he was in pain."
Vera Brittain decided to return home after the death of Geoffrey Thurlow (a close friend of Edward who she befriended also) and the serious injuries suffered by Richardson.
At about this time Victor was visited by an officer from the St Dunstan's charity for blinded servicemen, and voiced his intention to learn Braille and enter the church.
[citation needed] As Bishop and Bostridge point out, "His mental faculties appeared to be in no way impaired.