Background
Harington was born in Hinton Parva, Wiltshire in 1832 and educated at Reading School.
Harington was born in Hinton Parva, Wiltshire in 1832 and educated at Reading School.
Harington"s military career began on June 12, 1852 when he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Bengal Artillery. During the Indian Mutiny he was severely wounded at Trimmoo Ghat. He was present throughout the Siege of Delhi, and after the fall of the city he proceeded with the Grethed"s column towards Cawnpore taking an active part in the engagements at Maligurh Fort, Allygurh and Agra.
During these operations he was most dangerously wounded.
He was afterwards present at the siege and capture of Lucknow and joined in the pursuit of the rebels towards Rohileund until he was severely wounded at Rooyah. This last wound compelled him to go to the Himalayas to recover his health.
But deriving only temporary relief and still being troubled by a bullet which remained in his back, he was obliged to return to England and after undergoing a painful operation the bullet was extracted. His health being partially restored he returned to his duty in October 1860.
Harington was 25 years old, and a Lieutenant in the Bengal Artillery, Indian Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deeds took place at the Relief of Lucknow for which he was awarded the Venture capital, the citation reading as follows:
Lieutenant Hastings Edward Harington
Elected respectively, under the 13th clause of the Royal Warrant of the 29th of January, 1856, by the Officers and non-commissioned officers generally, and by the private soldiers of each troop or battery, for conspicuous gallantry at the relief of Lucknow, from the 14th to the 22nd of November, 1857.