List of New Zealand Wars Victoria Cross recipients

A memorial to those who died in the land wars, located in the Auckland War Memorial Museum

The Victoria Cross (VC) was awarded to 15 recipients for action during the New Zealand Wars. The VC is a military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of armed forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. It takes precedence over all other orders, decorations and medals; it may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service and to civilians under military command.[1] The award was officially constituted when Queen Victoria issued a warrant under the Royal sign-manual on 29 January 1856, which was 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 First Taranaki War of 1860–1861 and the Waikato-Hauhau Māori War of 1863–1866. The First Taranaki War was fought over land rights on New Zealand's North Island. The local Colonial Governor had set up a policy whereby the British Government could buy local land, and anyone refusing to sell their land would be committing treason against the Crown. When the Te Atiawa refused to sell their land, the British Army attacked on 17 March 1860, starting the First Taranaki War. After a series of sieges by the British, a truce was signed with the Māori people in March 1861; the disputed land became British-owned territory but it remained in possession of the Māori people.[8] The First Taranaki War ended in a stalemate over the one area of disputed land. By 1863 the influx of settlers and consequent demand for land led to further conflict. In July 1863, the British Army and the Auckland Militia launched 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

RecipientsUnitCampaignDateLocation
Down, JohnJohn Down57th Regiment of FootSecond Taranaki War2 October 1863Poutoko, New Zealand
Heaphy, CharlesCharles HeaphyAuckland MilitiaInvasion of Waikato11 February 1864Paterangi Pa, New Zealand
Lucas, JohnJohn Lucas40th Regiment of FootFirst Taranaki War18 March 1861Waitara, New Zealand
Manley, WilliamWilliam ManleyRoyal ArtilleryTauranga Campaign29 April 1864Tauranga, New Zealand
McKenna, EdwardEdward McKenna65th Regiment of FootInvasion of Waikato7 September 1863Cameron Town, New Zealand
McNeill, JohnJohn McNeill107th Bengal Infantry RegimentInvasion of Waikato30 March 1864Ohaupo, New Zealand
Mitchell, SamuelSamuel MitchellHMS HarrierTauranga Campaign29 April 1864Tauranga, New Zealand
Murray, JohnJohn Murray68th Regiment of FootTauranga Campaign21 June 1864Tauranga, New Zealand
Odgers, WilliamWilliam OdgersHMS NigerFirst Taranaki War28 March 1860Omata, New Zealand
Pickard, ArthurArthur PickardRoyal ArtilleryInvasion of Waikato20 November 1863Rangiriri, New Zealand
Ryan, JohnJohn Ryan65th Regiment of FootInvasion of Waikato7 September 1863Cameron Town, New Zealand
Shaw, HughHugh Shaw18th Regiment of FootSecond Taranaki War24 January 1865Nukumaru, New Zealand
Smith, FrederickFrederick Smith43rd Regiment of FootTauranga Campaign21 January 1864Tauranga, New Zealand
Stagpoole, DudleyDudley Stagpoole57th Regiment of FootSecond Taranaki War2 October 1863Poutoko, New Zealand
Temple, WilliamWilliam TempleRoyal ArtilleryInvasion of Waikato20 November 1863Rangiriri, New Zealand

Further reading

References

  1. ↑ Ashcroft, Michael; preface; pp.XI–XIII
  2. ↑ Ashcroft, Michael; Preface to Victoria Cross Heroes
  3. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 21846. pp. 410–411. 5 February 1856. Retrieved 12 January 2008. The Gazette publishing the original Royal Warrant
  4. ↑ Ashcroft, Michael; pp.7–10
  5. ↑ "HEAPHY, Charles". New Zealand Encyclopedia. 1966. Retrieved 17 June 2007.
  6. 1 2 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

External links


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