Autograph request
Postcard sent by Bray to Sir Claude Champion de Crespigny on 5th February 1904 asking for his autograph.
Captain Claude Champion de Crespigny, DSO (1873 - 18 May 1910) was a British soldier and polo player.
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. 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.
Following the war, he received the substantive rank of Captain in his regiment on 12 January 1902.
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.
On 18 May 1910 Claude committed suicide age 37, the physician and coroner concluded that a temporary madness may have been caused by influenza and repeated heavy falls whilst playing polo
