HARDHAM, WILLIAM JAMES,
Farrier Major, was born 31 July 1876, at Wellington, New Zealand, son of
George Hardham (of Surrey, England) and of Ann Hardham (of Sussex,
England). He joined the Cadets in 1891, and the Volunteers in 1894, serving
with the New Zealand Contingent in the South African War, 1900-1902, taking
part in the operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, August to 29
November 1900; and in the operations in the Transvaal, 30 November 1900 to
May 1901, and May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 4
October 1901], and was awarded the Victoria Cross [London Gazette, 4 October
1901]: "W J Hardham, Farrier-Major, 4th New Zealand Contingent. On the 28th
January 1901, near Naauwpoort, this noncommissioned officer was with a
section which was extended and hotly engaged with a party of about twenty
Boers. Just before the force commenced to retire Trooper McCrae was wounded
and his horse killed. Farrier Major Hardham at once went under a heavy 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". He was decorated
with the Victoria Cross by HM King Edward VII, in London, on 1 July 1902,
and also received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and King Edward's
Coronation Medal. Captain Hardham served with the New Zealand Mounted
Rifles in Gallipoli, and was wounded 30 May, 1915. He later became Military
Commandant of the Queen Mary Hospital for Sick and Wounded Returned
Soldiers, at Hanmer Springs, New Zealand. At Rugby Football he represented
Wellington Province from 1897 to 1910 (except three years' absence in South
Africa on service); on many occasions as captain. He also played against
the All England Team (Harding's) in 1904. He plays cricket, tennis, etc.
He married, 11 March 1916, at Wellington, New Zealand, Constance Evelyn
Parsonstown, daughter of John and Elizabeth Parsonstown, of Doncaster,
England.
