Claude Champion de Crespigny

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 and went on to join the 2nd Life Guards in 1895.

He served in the Second Boer War in South Africa from 1899 to 1900, and in West Africa in 1903. He was twice wounded in action and was twice recommended for the Victoria Cross for acts of immense bravery.[1][2] 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.[3]

Following the war, he received the substantive rank of Captain in his regiment on 12 January 1902.[4][5]

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.[6]

On 18 May 1910 Claude committed suicide age 37,[7] the physician and coroner concluded that a temporary madness may have been caused by influenza and repeated heavy falls whilst playing polo.[8]

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

References
  1. "Faces and Facts January 1900 and March 1900". Coghlan.co.uk. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  2. "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.
  3. "No. 27359". The London Gazette. 27 September 1901. p. 6304.
  4. "No. 27403". The London Gazette. 4 February 1902. p. 716.
  5. "No. 27419". The London Gazette. 15 March 1902. p. 2071.
  6. "HURLINGHAM POLO TEAM. - British Team Sails for United States April 10. - View Article - NYTimes.com" (PDF). New York Times. 3 March 1910. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  7. Special Cable to THE NEW YORK TIMES. (19 May 1910). "DE CRESPIGNY A SUICIDE. - British Officer Who Recently Played Polo in America Self-Slain. - View Article - NYTimes.com" (PDF). New York Times. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  8. 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. - View Article - NYTimes.com" (PDF). New York Times. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
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