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Captain Claude Champion de Crespigny, D.S.O. was born on September 4, 1873, the eldest son of the popular baronet Sir Claude Champion de Crespigny. His first ride in public was a winning one, steering Motley to victory in the Light Weight Challenge Cup at the Sports Club Meeting held at Lingfield Park on May 18, 1894.
Captain Claude Champion de Crespigny, D.S.O. was born on September 4, 1873, the eldest son of the popular baronet Sir Claude Champion de Crespigny. His first ride in public was a winning one, steering Motley to victory in the Light Weight Challenge Cup at the Sports Club Meeting held at Lingfield Park on May 18, 1894.
Having been educated at Eton, he joined the 2nd Life Guards in 1895.and served with great distinction in the Boer War from 1899 to 1900, being twice mentioned in dispatches – once for special bravery at Rensburg – and was severely injured at Poplar Grove. In November 1900 he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his services in South Africa.
Having been educated at Eton, he joined the 2nd Life Guards in 1895.and served with great distinction in the Boer War from 1899 to 1900, being twice mentioned in dispatches – once for special bravery at Rensburg – and was severely injured at Poplar Grove. In November 1900 he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his services in South Africa.
He was Aide-de-Camp. to the Viceroy and Governor-General of India, George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, from 1900 to 1902. In 1903 he served with the West African Frontier Force, where he was again wounded.
He was Aide-de-Camp. to the Viceroy and Governor-General of India, George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, from 1900 to 1902. In 1903 he served with the West African Frontier Force, where he was again wounded.
Captain Claude continued to ride whenever his military duties permitted, not only in Britain but also in India and America. His winners included the 1906 Household Brigade Cup at Hawthorn Hill on Prince Talleyrand and the 1907 Grand Military Handicap Steeplechase at Sandown on Gabriel II. Back at Hawthorn Hill he won consecutive runnings of the Household Brigade Handicap Chase on Warner in 1908 and 1909.
Captain Claude continued to ride whenever his military duties permitted, not only in Britain but also in India and America. His winners included the 1906 Household Brigade Cup at Hawthorn Hill on Prince Talleyrand and the 1907 Grand Military Handicap Steeplechase at Sandown on Gabriel II. Back at Hawthorn Hill he won consecutive runnings of the Household Brigade Handicap Chase on Warner in 1908 and 1909.
He enjoyed plenty of success in point-to-points, winning the feature race at the Queen’s Staghounds fixture two years running. He was also a talented polo player and was selected for the Hurlingham Club team that travelled to compete in America in 1910.
He enjoyed plenty of success in point-to-points, winning the feature race at the Queen’s Staghounds fixture two years running. He was also a talented polo player and was selected for the Hurlingham Club team that travelled to compete in America in 1910.
On May 18, 1910 Captain Claude Champion de Crespigny committed suicide, aged 37. The physician and coroner concluded that he had killed himself while ‘temporarily insane’ caused by the combined effects of a bout of influenza and repeated heavy falls whilst playing polo. There was also gossip at the time that linked his death to an alleged affair with a married woman.
On May 18, 1910 Captain Claude Champion de Crespigny committed suicide, aged 37. The physician and coroner concluded that he had killed himself while ‘temporarily insane’ caused by the combined effects of a bout of influenza and repeated heavy falls whilst playing polo. There was also gossip at the time that linked his death to an alleged affair with a married woman.
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