Harry Hampton VC

b. 14/12/1870 Richmond, Surrey. d. 02/11/1922 Richmond, Surrey.

Harry Hampton (1870-1922) was born on 14th December 1870 at 1, Sheen Dale, Richmond, Surrey. He was the son of Samuel Hampton. He enlisted with the 1st Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment at Aldershot on 10th March 1889, and was promoted to Corporal two years later. He served in the West Indies and in Nova Scotia between 1891 and 1897, in South Africa briefly in 1897, and throughout the Second Boer War of 1899-1902.

Harry Hampton VC

In the Second Boer War he served in the 1st Mounted Infantry Company which was attached to the King’s Liverpool Regiment. He was present at the Siege of Ladysmith, and supported the defenders of Waggon Hill.

On the 21st August, 1900, at Van Wyk’s Vlei, Sergeant Hampton, who was in command of a small party of Mounted Infantry, held an important position for some time against heavy odds, and when compelled to retire saw all his men into safety, and then, although he had himself been wounded in the head, supported Lance-Corporal Walsh, who was unable to walk, until the latter was again hit and apparently killed, Sergeant Hampton himself being again wounded a short time after.

Hampton was recommended for, and awarded the Victoria Cross on 18th October 1901, and was presented with his medal by King Edward VII on 17th December that year in St James’ Palace. Following the Boer War, he rose to Colour Sergeant, and became a Sergeant Instructor of Musketry, before being discharged on a pension. He returned to the Richmond area, where by the 1911 Census, he was listed as a Grocery Manager in the St Margaret’s district. Due to his injuries sustained in the Boer War he was not considered for service during the Great War.

Harry died on 2nd November 1922 in unusual circumstances. Harry sustained multiple injuries incurred from falling in front of a Shepperton train that was passing through St Margarets Station. The inquest determined that due to him having a leg injury from falling from a bus some years earlier, it was thought that his leg had given way under him and he stumbled in front of the train.

Harry was buried in Richmond Cemetery and his headstone was replaced in 2008. He is buried in a part of the cemetery which is now closed, but can be accessed. His medals are held by the King’s Regimental Museum, Liverpool.

 

LOCATION OF MEDAL: MUSEUM OF KING’S REGIMENT, LIVERPOOL.

BURIAL PLACE: RICHMOND CEMETERY, RICHMOND, LONDON.

SECTION X, GRAVE 62

Acknowledgement:

Kevin Brazier – Hampton VC Grave and Richmond Cemetery Plan.