War Heroes: William James Hardham

This week's war hero comes from the Boer War, where William James Hardham became the first New Zealander to ever earn a Victoria Cross.

On the 28th January, 1901, near Naauwpoort, this Non-Commissioned Officer was with a section which was extended and hotly engaged with a party of about 20 Boers. Just before the force commenced to retire Trooper McCrae was wounded and his horse killed. Farrier- Major Hardham at once went under a heavy fire to his assistance, dismounted and placed him on his own horse, and ran alongside until he had guided him to a place-of safety.

The bio on MAJ Hardham, (from angloboerwar.com)

HARDHAM, WILLIAM JAMES, Farrier Major, was born 31 July 1876, at Wellington, New Zealand, son of George Hardham (of Surrey, England) and of Ann Hardham (of Sussex, England). He joined the Cadets in 1891, and the Volunteers in 1894, serving with the New Zealand Contingent in the South African War, 1900-1902, taking part in the operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, August to 29 November 1900; and in the operations in the Transvaal, 30 November 1900 to May 1901, and May 1902.

He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 4 October 1901], and was awarded the Victoria Cross [London Gazette, 4 October 1901] (see citation above).

He was decorated with the Victoria Cross by HM King Edward VII, in London, on 1 July 1902, and also received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and King Edward's Coronation Medal.

Captain Hardham served with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles in Gallipoli, and was wounded 30 May, 1915. He later became Military Commandant of the Queen Mary Hospital for Sick and Wounded Returned Soldiers, at Hanmer Springs, New Zealand.

At Rugby Football he represented Wellington Province from 1897 to 1910 (except three years' absence in South Africa on service); on many occasions as captain. He also played against the All England Team (Harding's) in 1904. He plays cricket, tennis, etc.

He married, 11 March 1916, at Wellington, New Zealand, Constance Evelyn Parsonstown, daughter of John and Elizabeth Parsonstown, of Doncaster, England.

By: Brant