HOW HARDHAM WON HIS V.C.

Southland Times, Issue 1507, 21 October 1901, Page 2

HOW HARDHAM WON HIS V.C.

Sergeant Hardham is well known by the people of Wellington and Petone, having won fame as a footballer before enlisting in the Fourth Contingent. The incident which brought him specially under notice was told by Sergt. -Major Murphy, of Invercargill, when passing through Christchurch on his way to Kotorua in search of health, to a representative of the Star. Sergt.Major Murphy was a member of B Squadron of the Fourth Contingent and told his story as follows :— The Fourth Regiment was on the strength of General Babington's column, and was ordered to take part in an expedition to relieve General Cunningham, who \v&B reported to be surrounded at Olifanfc's Nek by the Boer commander, General Smuts. On January 24 the column left Ventersdorp at 2 p.m., and on January 25 got in touch with the Boers at Vlakfontein, who burnt two waggons full of stores before they cleared out. An attempt was then made to draw a cordon round the Boer force, and on Jan. 27 a continuous rifle duel was carried on between the Boer and British outposts. The manoeuvre failed, and the Boers got away. On January 28 General Cunningham effeoted a junction with General Babington, and the same day left for Krugersdorp. It was on this day that the incident culminating in Hardham's recommendation for the Victoria Cross occurred. The country being traversed by the column was very hilly, and, suspicion being centered on a. rocky kopje ahead which was reported to be quite free of Itoere, Hardham and his section were sent or ahead of C and D squadrons, who formed the advance guard, to search it. When within about two hundred yards of the top a rifie volley was poured into them by about one hundred concealed Boers. Morhee was shot in the leg, the bullet shattering the bone, and his horse was shot dead at the same time. A rush was made for cover, the Boers meanwhile firing as fast as they could load, and amid the showers of lead Hardham, looking back and discovering the plight of his comrade, wheeled his horse and galloped to his assistance. He jumped off, and helped MePhee up, and then catching hold of the stirrup- iron, ran with the horse until a place of safety was reached. Meanwhile the two squadrons of New Zealauders were advancing to the attack, and the Boers, after peppering the two fugitives as long as they were within sight, retired among the hills ou the flank. For thia exploit Farrier-Major Hardham was recommended for the V.C. by Colonel Davis and General Babington. He was extremely popular in the regiment, and his comrades will be delighted to hear that he has received recognition for bis bravery. Farrier-Sergeant Hardham, continued Ser-geant-Major Murphy, was a noted footballer in the North island, and played in a good many representative matches. When the Fourth and Fifth Contingents were in Worceater preparatory to embarking for New Zealand, he was instrumental in getting up a combined regimental football match against the local residents, and led the colonials to victory by seventeen points to nil.