1917 days ago

A good day to remember William Hardham, VC

Reporter Community News

It is 102 years since WWI ended and Armistice Day is a good time to remember William Hardham, VC.
Hardham received his Victoria Cross in the Boer War and was the first New Zealand-born soldier to get a VC.
Born in Wellington, he was a blacksmith by trade and a well known sportsman.
He played rugby for Petone and 53 games for Wellington.
Hardham volunteered to serve in the Boer War and held the rank of farrier sergeant major.
On 28 January 1901, Hardham was on a patrol in the Transvaal when it was ambushed by twenty Boers. Although the patrol was able to withdraw, one man was wounded and his horse was shot from under him. Hardham rode to his aid and pulled him to safety while under heavy gunfire.
Hardham was subsequently awarded the VC by the Prince of Wales.
He subsequently had a distinguished career in WW1. Wounded at Gallipoli he returned home before returning to New Zealand. He returned to Palestine and became seriously ill with malaria.
After the war, he suffered from ill health and had numerous jobs, including working for a newspaper.
William James Hardham VC died of stomach cancer in 1928 aged 51. His funeral was attended by Prime Minister Gordon Coates and he is buried in the Karori Cemetery.
The Hardham Cup is still played for by Wellington club rugby teams.
The Petone Rugby Club has a replica VC, his club cap, a citation by the then mayor of Petone and a photo.

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26 days ago

Poll: Are you as excited as we are for Te Matapihi’s grand reopening?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

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We want to know: Are you as excited as we are for Te Matapihi’s grand reopening?

Want all the details? The Post has everything you need to know.

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Are you as excited as we are for Te Matapihi’s grand reopening?
  • 46.3% Yes
    46.3% Complete
  • 53.7% No
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313 votes
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Tap Fusion opens Wellington Fringe Festival

TAP Fusion

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Tap Fusion is the work of former New Zealand Dance Champion brothers Brandon and Cameron Carter-Chan. They say the show is designed to expose the diversity of New Zealand artists through Tap Dance by inspiring, uplifting, and promoting the idea of creative collaboration, encouraging people to work with artists outside their social circle, and to increase opportunity and strengthen the arts community as a whole.


Tap Fusion is on at The Hannah Theatre, 12 Cambridge Terrace, Wellington on 13th & 14th February.
Buy tickets here

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