Hastings Edward Harrington

Hastings Edward Harington VC (9 November 1832 – 20 July 1861) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Hastings Edward Harington
Born9 November 1832
Hinton Parva, Wiltshire
Died20 July 1861(1861-07-20) (aged 29)
Agra, India
Buried
Agra Cemetery
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branchBengal Army
British Indian Army
Years of service12 June 1852 – 20 July 1861
RankCaptain
UnitBengal Artillery
Battles/warsIndian Mutiny
Awards Victoria Cross

Background

Harington was born in St Peter Port, Guensey [1] in 1832 and educated at Reading School.

Military career

Harington's military career began on 12 June 1852, when he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Bengal Artillery. During the Indian Mutiny he was severely wounded at Trimmoo Ghat. He was present throughout the Siege of Delhi, and after the fall of the city he proceeded with the Grethed's column towards Cawnpore taking an active part in the engagements at Maligurh Fort, Allygurh and Agra. He was present at the relief of the garrison at Lucknow, where his courage gained him the Victoria Cross, for which he was elected by the vote of his fellow officers. During these operations he was most dangerously wounded.[2]

He was afterwards present at the siege and capture of Lucknow and joined in the pursuit of the rebels towards Rohileund until he was severely wounded at Rooyah. This last wound compelled him to go to the Himalayas to recover his health; but deriving only temporary relief and still being troubled by a bullet which remained in his back, he was obliged to return to England and after undergoing a painful operation the bullet was extracted. His health being partially restored he returned to his duty in October 1860. Shortly after his arrival in India he proceeded on service with the Sikkim Field Force and was afterwards appointed adjutant 6th Battalion Bengal Artillery at Agra where he died from cholera on 20 July 1861, having achieved the rank of captain.[2]

The Victoria Cross

Harington was 25 years old, and a Lieutenant in the Bengal Artillery, Indian Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deeds took place at the Relief of Lucknow for which he was awarded the VC, the citation reading as follows:

Lieutenant Hastings Edward Harington [and others]

Elected respectively, under the 13th clause of the Royal Warrant of the 29th of January, 1856, by the Officers and non-commissioned officers generally, and by the private soldiers of each troop or battery, for conspicuous gallantry at the relief of Lucknow, from the 14th to the 22nd of November, 1857.

— London Gazette, 24 December 1858.[3]

References
  1. British India Office Birth/baptismal certificates in Cadet Papers Archive Reference L-MIL-9-223
  2. Nisbet and Co, Berners Street, British Army Scripture Readers' & Soldier's Friend Society, (1862)
  3. "No. 22212". The London Gazette. 24 December 1858. p. 5516.
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