Charles Crampion served with the Norfolk Regiment in Upper Burma in the campaign of 1889. He was part of Captain Otway Mayne’s attack on the Chin stockades at Tartan on 4 May 1889. For his bravery he and Corporal Harwood were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Crampion’s award was for aiding Surgeon-Captain Le Quesne in the heat of battle. Crampion and two Gurkhas provided covering fire while the surgeon attempted to save Lt William Michel. Private Crampion was recommended for the VC but received the DCM instead.
He also fought in the Boer War and was awarded another DCM at Karee Siding on 29 Mar 1900 for helping a wounded comrade and receiving a wound in the process.
Private Crampion was one of only six soldiers in the Boer War to win a second DCM. It was not until after 1918 that recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal were permitted to have the letters DCM after their name. The photo shows him wearing two DCM medals that have a crimson ribbon with a central blue stripe. The other medals are the India General Service medal and the Queen’s South Africa medal with four clasps.
Charles Crampion was married to Martha Zora Bridges and lived at Great Holland, Essex. Their son, Charles Le Quesne Crampion (named after Surgeon-Captain Ferdinand Le Quesne VC who was awarded his VC for bravery at Tartan in Burma). Charles Junior also served in the Norfolk Regiment as a champion sniper. He was the oldest man in the 2nd battalion and had served for 27 years. He was killed at Kohima, Assam, India on 10 May 1944. He was awarded the Military Medal.
The photo was published in The History of the Norfolk Regiment 1685 - 1914 by F Loraine Petre (Jarrold 1922 and The Naval & Military Press 2014)
Regimental Details | Soldiers
