Claude Champion de Crespigny

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Captain Claude Champion de Crespigny (1873–1910), DSO.jpg

Captain Claude Champion de Crespigny, DSO (1873 – 18 May 1910) was a British soldier and polo player.

Biography[]

The son of Sir Claude Champion de Crespigny, 4th Baronet, Claude was educated at Eton. He joined the British Army when he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 2nd Life Guards on 3 July 1895, and was promoted to lieutenant on 5 August 1896.[1]

He served in the Second Boer War in South Africa from 1899 to 1900, and was twice wounded in action and twice recommended for the Victoria Cross for acts of immense bravery.[2][3] Though he never received this decoration, he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his services in South Africa in November 1900.[4]

Captain Claude Champion de Crespigny on 'Fillipeen'.

Following the war, he received the substantive rank of Captain in his regiment on 12 January 1902,[5][6] then served in West Africa in 1903.

He later became the Aide-de-Camp to the Viceroy and Governor-General of India George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston.

Claude was a member of a very sporting family and was a successful polo player, he was selected for the Hurlingham Club team that traveled to compete in America in 1910.[7]

On 18 May 1910 Claude committed suicide age 37,[8] the physician and coroner concluded that a temporary madness may have been caused by influenza and repeated heavy falls whilst playing polo.[9]

The grave of Claude Champion de Crespigny in the churchyard of St Andrew's, Hatfield Peverel, Essex

References[]

  1. ^ Hart′s Army list, 1900
  2. ^ "Faces and Facts January 1900 and March 1900". Coghlan.co.uk. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  3. ^ "The San Francisco call. (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, May 19, 1910, Page 2, Image 2 « Chronicling America « Library of Congress". Chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  4. ^ "No. 27359". The London Gazette. 27 September 1901. p. 6304.
  5. ^ "No. 27403". The London Gazette. 4 February 1902. p. 716.
  6. ^ "No. 27419". The London Gazette. 15 March 1902. p. 2071.
  7. ^ "HURLINGHAM POLO TEAM. - British Team Sails for United States April 10" (PDF). The New York Times. 3 March 1910. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  8. ^ Special Cable to THE NEW YORK TIMES. (19 May 1910). "DE CRESPIGNY A SUICIDE. - British Officer Who Recently Played Polo in America Self-Slain" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  9. ^ Special Cable to THE NEW YORK TIMES. (20 May 1910). "DE CRESPIGNY DIED TO SAVE A WOMAN - Suicide Had Been Named as Co- respondent in a Divorce Suit" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
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