William Hardham, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death
TweetWilliam Hardham
Recipient of the Victoria Cross
Date of Birth: 31-Jul-1876
Place of Birth: Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand
Date of Death: 13-Apr-1928
Profession: rugby union player
Nationality: New Zealand
Zodiac Sign: Leo 
About William Hardham
- William James Hardham, (31 July 1876 – 13 April 1928) was a New Zealand soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that could be awarded at the time to British and Commonwealth forces. Born in Wellington, Hardham was a blacksmith and part-time soldier in the local militia when he volunteered to serve with the New Zealand Military Forces in the Boer War.
- Posted to the 4th Contingent in 1900, he was on a patrol in the South African Transvaal when it was ambushed.
- He rode to the rescue of a wounded soldier while under heavy fire and for this he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
- Discharged from the New Zealand Military Forces in 1901, he rejoined for another period of service in the Boer War but did not return to South Africa and instead was sent to England for the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Returning to civilian life, he became increasingly involved in rugby administration but also continued to serve in the militia.
- When the First World War began, he volunteered for service abroad with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) and was posted to the Wellington Mounted Rifles (WMR) as a captain.
- Wounded during the Gallipoli Campaign, he was repatriated to New Zealand.
- On recovery he was made commandant of Queen Mary Hospital in Hanmer Springs but desired a return to the NZEF and a posting overseas.
- He soon rejoined the WMR, then in Palestine, but his health was poor and affected the remainder of his service in the military.
- Having reached the rank of major by the end of the war, he was soon discharged from the NZEF.
- Returning to civilian life, he worked for a newspaper and later the Public Works Department as well being involved in veterans' affairs.
- He died in 1928 at the age of 51.
Read more at Wikipedia