Hampden Zane Churchill Cockburn
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Hampden Zane Churchill Cockburn (November 19, 1867 - July 12, 1913), was a Canadian 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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Born in Toronto, Canada, Cockburn was 32 years old, and a lieutenant in The Royal Canadian Dragoons, Canadian Army during the South African War (Boer War) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. He is a graduate of Upper Canada College in Toronto.
On 7 November 1900 during the action at Komati River, South Africa, Lieutenant Cockburn with a handful of men, at a most critical moment, held off the enemy to enable the guns to get away. To do so he had to sacrifice himself and his party, all of whom were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. He himself was slightly wounded.
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He later achieved the rank of Major. Grave/memorial at Buried at St. James Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Hill A. Section S 1/2. Lot 11. Headstone.
[edit] The medal
Cockburn's VC and sword were displayed in the lobby of Upper Canada College. In 1977, due to a number of recent thefts and "losses" of Victoria Cross medals the school replaced the VC with a top grade copy and moved the original to their bank safety deposit box.
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War (Ian Uys, 20
