HASTINGS, WILFRED CHARLES NORRINGTON,
Captain, was born at Devonport 24 December 1873, son of the Reverend Francis
Henry Hastings, retired Captain, RN.
He was educated at Trinity College School, Stratford-on-Avon, and entered
the 4th Battalion South Wales Borderers in 1892; was seconded for the Sierra
Leone Frontier Force in 1898; served in the Hut Tax War, 1898-99 (wounded;
Medal and clasp). On 24 June 1899, he entered the Manchester Regiment, and
became Lieutenant 1 December 1899, and Captain 25 December 1901. He served
in the South African War, 1900-2, taking part in operations in the Orange
Free State, April, 1900; operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria,
August to September and November 1900 operations in Orange River Colony, May
to 29 November 1900, including actions at Biddulphsberg and Wittebergen;
operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, April 1900; operations in
the Transvaal, July 1901; operations in Orange River Colony, 30 November
1900 to 31 May 1902. He was awarded the South African and King's Medals;
mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 29 July 1902], and was created a
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October
1902]: "Wilfred Charles Norrington Hastings, Captain, Manchester Regiment.
In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was
employed with the West African Frontier Force, 28 March 1903 to 3 August
1909, and served with the 1st Battalion Northern Nigerian Regiment 1903;
with the Mumshi Expedition, 1906. He served in the European War, in France,
1914; became Temporary Lieutenant Colonel 17 April 1915, commanding the
Sierra Leone Battalion West African Frontier Force, and took part in the
Cameroon Campaign, 1915-16. His chief pastimes were shooting, fishing and
boxing.
DSO, East & West
Africa (1) Sierra Leone 1898-9 (Capt Manchr Regt), QSA (3) CC Trans Witt
(Lt, Man Regt), KSA (2) (Lt Man Regt), 1914 Star (Capt DSO Man Regt), BWM,
Victory Medal (Lt Col).
BDW 1991 est
£1,000-1,200. DNW 2002 £3,300.
