LIFE OF ADVENTURE
“THE FIGHTING SQUIRE.” Sir Claude and Lady Champion de Crespigny celebrated their diamond wedding in September. A private dinner party was held .at their home, Champion Lodge, Maldon, Essex. Known to his friends as “The Fighting Squire,” Sir Claude in his 85 years has lived a life of most varied adventure. After serving in the Navy from 1860 to 1865, and in the Army from 1866 to 1870, he went as a war correspondent up the Nile in 1889, and fought in the South African War in 1900 and in British East Africa in 1995. He was also a keen balloonist—being one of the few men to have crossed the North Sea in a balloon—an ardent forhunter, sculler, swimmer and boxer. On his 85th birthday Sir Claude practised at his punchball, and last year he bathed every morning while at Cowes. He has had both legs broken while ballooning, several ribs while steeplechasing, and three fingers while boxing. He married in 1872 Georgiana, daughter of the late Mr. R. McKerrell. Of their five sons, two survive, one was killed in the war and two have died. He has four daughters.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST19321223.2.10
Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 21896, 23 December 1932, Page 2
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193LIFE OF ADVENTURE Southland Times, Issue 21896, 23 December 1932, Page 2
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