OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 88, 14 April 1928, Page 10

OBITUARY

3IAJOE HAEDHA3L V.C, j Friends and all others with -whom Major William James Hardham, V.C, of Wellington, came in contact, will regret to learn of his death last night at his residence, Perth street, Ngaio, siter an illness of over five months. A man with ;i fine record, Major Hardham had a quiet and retiring disposition, and all comrades of his felt that if there was any man worthy of wearing a V.C. it was "Billy" Hardham. j The deceased was the only New Zealander to gain a Victoria Cross in the Boer War. The late Major Hardham, in the campaign in Africa, was also awarded a Queen's Medal, and five clasps. An extract from Despatches, in the London "Gazette," 4th October, 1901, describes his gallantry which won for him the Victoria Cross. It reads as follows: — Major W. J. Hardham, V.C., Queen's Medal with five clasps, received the Victoria Cross under the following circumstances: "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 twenty Boers. Juat before the force commenced to retire Trooper M'Crae was wounded and his horse killed. Farrior-Major Hardham at once went, under a heavy i 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." Major Hardham also took part in the Great War, leaving New Zealand with the Main Body, W.M.R. He had two periods of service—l3th August,, 1914, to 30th June, 1917, and from 13th November, 1917, to. loth October, 1919. He was wounded on Gallipoli in May, 1915, and in December of that year he was invalided back to New Zealand. Before reaching Hobart, however, his wound became septic, and an operation

S. P. Andrew, Photo.

was performed on board ship. He was landed at Hobart. Another operation was performed thero, and ho arrived back in tho Dominion in February, 1916. Whilst convalescing he was asked to accept the position of Commandant of Queen Mary's Military Hospital, Haumer, and lie remained there until he was again passed as fit for active service. He entered camp again in December, 1917, and left New Zealand with the 30th Reinforcements (Mtd.) in February, 1918. His old wound gave trouble again, however, and during his service in Palestine he frequently had to report sick. In December, 1918, ho was invalided back tp New Zealand. Tho late Major Hardham served at tho Dardanelles, in Egypt, and in England. He held tho rank of captain up to tho 15th May, 1918, when he was promoted to Major, and on discharge from the N.Z.E.F., ho was absorbed, on loth October, 1919, into the Reserve of Officers, Territorial Porco, with the rank of major. The lalo "Billy" Hardham was prominent ns a Rugby footballer in his younger days, and came into prominenco as n representative player when he made his first tour in 1897, travelling south ns a member of "Offside Mac's" team. Ho represented Wellington on many subsequent occasions, and was one of tho keenest of players. Thoso who remember him ns such will recall that he always played a good, hard game. As one player who opposed him on many occasions remarked to-day: ",Ho was one of the best men who ever wore a jorsey." His interost in Rugby never waned, and he hus taken a prominent part in the administrative sido of the game. He did a great deal of service for his club, Pctone, and served on the Management Committee of tho Wellington Rugby Union from 1910 to l!>14, from 1021 to 19L'o, and ngniii -last year. For quite a number of years the l;ite Major Hardhnin ivas a delegate to tho Now Zealand Rugby Union, and hp was ono of the soleut band who has been honoured by life-membership of the Wellington Rugby Union. The late Major Hardham has been closely associated with the Wellington branch of tho Returned Soldiers' Association since its inception, and at ono time he was club manager. Ho was untiring in his efforts and his work earned for him great appreciation from hundreds of returned soldiers. "Wo have lost a good and most faithful friend by tho death of 'Billy' Hardham," said Major Watson, secretary of tho Wellington branch of Ctho R.S.A. "He was always willing to assist returned men." As a murk of respect to the memory of Major Hardhnin, players who took part in the Rugby matches this afternoon wore white bands on their left. arms. ,•■ A member of the Wellington Citizens' War Memorial Committee, tho late Major Hardham was a zealous worker in connection with the Anzac Day celebrations, and poppy day and rose day collections. The late Major Hardham, who was 51 years of age, was a son of Mrs. Hardham, of .90, Owen street, and of the lato George Hardham. Ho leaves a widow. Brothers of the deceased are Mr. George Hardham and Mr. Henry Haidham, of' Wellington, and Mr. Alfred Hardham, Paraparaumu, and his sisters Mrs. M. F. Kennedy, Karori, and Mrs. H. Hall, Petone. The funeral, which will be of a military nature, is to leave Morrises' mortuary chapel, Taranaki street, on Monday afternoon, for the Soldiers' Cemetery at Karori. Territorials have been invited to attend, also South African veterans and returned soldiers. All returned soldievs lire asked to parade at 2 p.m. on Monday to pay the last respects to the late Major W\ J. Hardham, V.C. The parade will assemble in Dixon street, at the back of the Royal O.ik Hotel. Dress will be mufti,' medals and decorations to be worn.