Harry Hampton

Protected retreating men and helped another wounded soldier.

Harry Hampton came from Richmond, Surrey, and joined the King's Liverpool Regiment at Aldershot in 1889. His prewar postings included the West Indies and Nova Scotia. Promoted through corporal and sergeant, he served in mounted infantry during the South African War.

On 21 August 1900, at Van Wyk's Vlei, he commanded a small party holding an important position against a larger Boer force. When withdrawal became unavoidable, he made sure that his men got away. Wounded himself, he then helped Lance Corporal Walsh, who could not walk. He continued supporting Walsh until the other man was hit again and appeared dead; Hampton was wounded once more during the retreat.

The Victoria Cross was announced in October 1901 and presented by King Edward VII at St James's Palace that December. Hampton became a colour sergeant and musketry instructor. After further overseas service he returned to civilian life in the Richmond area. His work included employment with the electrical engineering firm Dick, Kerr and Company and, later, the Corps of Commissionaires.

He married Gertrude Lythgoe in 1906 and had two children. He sought service again during the First World War, but his health limited his employment. On 2 November 1922 he suffered fatal injuries in a railway accident at St Margarets station. He was buried at Richmond. His medals are preserved by the King's regimental collection in Liverpool.

Official Victoria Cross citation (London Gazette, 18 October 1901, page 6779):

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.