List of New Zealand Wars Victoria Cross recipients

A memorial to those who died in the New Zealand Wars, located in the Auckland War Memorial Museum

The

gazetted on 5 February 1856.^[2]^[3] The order was backdated to 1854 to recognise acts of valour during the Crimean War.^[4]

Originally, the VC was not available to colonial troops, even if under British command, but this changed in 1867. The extension was made following a recommendation for gallantry regarding colonial soldier Major Charles Heaphy for action in the land wars in 1864.^[5] He was operating under British command and the VC was gazetted in 1867. Later that year, the Government of New Zealand assumed full responsibility for operations but no further recommendations for the Victoria Cross were raised for local troops who distinguished themselves in action.^[6] Following gallant actions by three New Zealand soldiers in November 1868 and January 1869 during the land wars, an Order in Council on 10 March 1869 created a "Distinctive Decoration" for members of the local forces without seeking permission from the Secretary of State for the Colonies.^[7] Although the Governor was chided for exceeding his authority, the Order in Council was ratified by the Queen. The title "Distinctive Decoration" was later replaced by the title New Zealand Cross.^[6]

The New Zealand Wars were a series of conflicts that took place in New Zealand between 1845 and 1872. The two conflicts where soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross were the

Invasion of Waikato against the forces of Tāwhiao and the Māori King Movement. The British expelled the Māori people from their lands, swiftly moving south, culminating in the defeat and flight of Tāwhiao at Ōrākau in March 1864. The British pursued him across the country as far as the fourth Waikato defensive line, which later became the border of King Country.^[9]

Recipients

Recipients	Unit	Campaign	Date	Location
John Down	057 57th Regiment of Foot	Second Taranaki War	1863-10-022 October 1863	Poutoko, New Zealand
Charles Heaphy	Auckland Militia	Invasion of Waikato	1864-02-1111 February 1864	Paterangi Pa, New Zealand
John Lucas	040 40th Regiment of Foot	First Taranaki War	1861-03-1818 March 1861	Waitara, New Zealand
William Manley	Royal Artillery	Tauranga Campaign	1864-04-2929 April 1864	Tauranga, New Zealand
Edward McKenna	065 65th Regiment of Foot	Invasion of Waikato	1863-09-077 September 1863	Cameron Town , New Zealand
John McNeill	107 107th Bengal Infantry Regiment	Invasion of Waikato	1864-03-3030 March 1864	Ōhaupō, New Zealand
Samuel Mitchell	HMS Harrier	Tauranga Campaign	1864-04-2929 April 1864	Tauranga, New Zealand
John Murray	068 68th Regiment of Foot	Tauranga Campaign	1864-06-2121 June 1864	Tauranga, New Zealand
William Odgers	HMS Niger	First Taranaki War	1860-03-2828 March 1860	Omata, New Zealand
Arthur Pickard	Royal Artillery	Invasion of Waikato	1863-11-2020 November 1863	Rangiriri, New Zealand
John Ryan	065 65th Regiment of Foot	Invasion of Waikato	1863-09-077 September 1863	Cameron Town , New Zealand
Hugh Shaw	018 18th Regiment of Foot	Second Taranaki War	1865-01-2424 January 1865	Nukumaru, New Zealand
Frederick Smith	043 43rd Regiment of Foot	Tauranga Campaign	1864-01-2121 January 1864	Tauranga, New Zealand
Dudley Stagpoole	057 57th Regiment of Foot	Second Taranaki War	1863-10-022 October 1863	Poutoko, New Zealand
William Temple	Royal Artillery	Invasion of Waikato	1863-11-2020 November 1863	Rangiriri, New Zealand

References

^ Ashcroft, Michael; preface; pp.XI–XIII
^ Ashcroft, Michael; Preface to Victoria Cross Heroes
^ "No. 21846". The London Gazette. 5 February 1856. pp. 410–411. The Gazette publishing the original Royal Warrant
^ Ashcroft, Michael; pp.7–10
^ "HEAPHY, Charles". New Zealand Encyclopedia. 1966. Retrieved 17 June 2007.
^ ^a ^b Abbott PE, Tamplin JMA, Chapter 34, pp.230–236
^ "New Zealand Cross". New Zealand Encyclopedia. 1966. Retrieved 17 June 2007.
^ Arthur, Max; pp.98–99
^ Arthur, Max; pp.102–103

External links

[1] Ashcroft, Michael; preface; pp.XI–XIII

[Ashcroft-2] Ashcroft, Michael; Preface to Victoria Cross Heroes

[GazetteOriginalWarrant-3] "No. 21846". The London Gazette. 5 February 1856. pp. 410–411. The Gazette publishing the original Royal Warrant

[4] Ashcroft, Michael; pp.7–10

[5] "HEAPHY, Charles". New Zealand Encyclopedia. 1966. Retrieved 17 June 2007.

[Abbott230-236-6] Abbott PE, Tamplin JMA, Chapter 34, pp.230–236

[7] "New Zealand Cross". New Zealand Encyclopedia. 1966. Retrieved 17 June 2007.

[8] Arthur, Max; pp.98–99

[9] Arthur, Max; pp.102–103

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Recipients

Further reading

References

External links