Harington was born in St Peter Port, Guernsey[1] in 1832, the son of a reverend, and educated at Reading School and the East India Company Military Seminary, Addiscombe, Surrey.

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.

He was present at the relief of the garrison at Lucknow, where he risked his life rescuing a wounded soldier, his courage gaining him the Victoria Cross.

He was afterwards appointed adjutant 6th Battalion Bengal Artillery at Agra, where he died from cholera on 20 July 1861, having achieved the rank of captain.

[4] 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 VC, the citation reading as follows: Lieutenant Hastings Edward Harington [and others] 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.His family sold the medal in 2024.