Hastings Edward Harington
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Hastings Edward Harington (1832-1861) 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.
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[edit] Background
Hastings was born on Guernsey in the Channel Islands in 1832. He was educated at Reading School.
[edit] Victoria Cross details
He was 25 years old, and a lieutenant in the Bengal Artillery, Indian Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
During the whole of the period 14 to 22 November 1857, at the Relief of Lucknow, India, Lieutenant Harington acted with conspicuous gallantry.
He was killed in action, Agra, India, on 20 July 1861.
[edit] Further information
According to a small volume published by Nisbet and Co, Berners Street, British Army Scripture Readers' & Soldier's Friend Society, (1862) his military career began on June 12, 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 proceed 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 distinguished courage gained him the Victoria Cross, for which he was elected by the vote of his brother officers. During these operations he was most dangerously wounded.
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 July 20.
Elected by the regiment. He later achieved the rank of Captain.
[edit] The medal
Please update if you know where his medal is publicly displayed.
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission and merged with already existing sketch.
