William james hardham was born in wellington in 1876. He attended mount cook school and worked as a farrier and blacksmith until volunteering for service with the 4th new zealand (rough riders) contingent in south africa. He was promoted to farrier sergeant-major and served in campaigns in cape colony, transvaal, and rhodesia. On 28 january 1901 near naauwpoort in transvaal, hardham’s section was ambushed by a boer group. When a fellow soldier was injured during the section’s withdrawal, hardham rescued the solider by placing him on his own horse and guiding him to safety, while under heavy fire. In recognition of this act, hardham was awarded the victoria cross, which was presented to him in 1902 by the prince of wales. He was the only new zealander to earn the victoria cross during the south african war. Hardham continued his army service during world war one, and was posted to gallipoli in 1915 where he was seriously wounded in action. After recuperating, he served in egypt in command of the 35th and 36th (mounted) reinforcements. He subsequently contracted malaria and returned to new zealand in 1919. He died in 1928 aged 51, and was awarded a funeral with full military honours. He is buried in the karori soldiers cemetery, near wellington. Hardham was also a prominent rugby player and represented wellington district on more than fifty occasions between 1897-1910. The hardham cup was instituted in his memory and is a trophy currently competed for by senior grade clubs in wellington. This portrait of hardham was painted by harry linley richardson in 1920. It is part of the national collection of war art which is under the care of archives nz, and comprises about 1,500 artworks. This collection includes both official pieces of war art, by artists formally commissioned by the new zealand government, and other unofficial art works that were acquired by or donated to the collection. This painting, as well as other items from the archives new zealand war art collection, can be viewed online at the following link - warart. Archives. Govt. Nz/
archives reference: aaac 898 87/ncwa 490
www. Archway. Archives. Govt. Nz/viewfullitem. Do?code=22498107
for updates on our on this day series and news from archives new zealand, follow us on twitter twitter. Com/archivesnz
material supplied by archives new zealand.
Loading...
