Second Taranaki War Victoria Cross Recipient. He was gazetted for the award on September 23, 1864 for his actions as a an ensign, along with drummer Dudley Stagpoole, in the 57th Regiment of Foot, British Army, on October 23, 1863 at Pontoko, New Zealand, while engaging the Maori natives during the Second Taranaki War. Nothing is known of his early life or when he joined the British Army. He died from a fever at the age of 24 while still serving in New Zealand. His joint Victoria Cross citation reads: "For their conduct at Pontoko, on the 2nd October, in rescuing a wounded comrade from the rebel Maori. They succeeded in bringing in the wounded man, who was lying at about fifty yards from the bush, although the enemy kept up a very heavy fire from the bush at short range, and also from behind fallen logs close at hand. The man had been wounded during an engagement with the rebel natives, and Ensign Down, and Drummer Stagpoole, responded to the call of the Officer commanding the detachment of the Regiment for volunteers to bring him in. The Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field has already been conferred on Drummer Stagpoole, for the energy and devotion which he displayed on the 25th September, 1863, at the affair near Kaipakopako, in having, though wounded in the head, twice volunteered and brought in wounded men."
Second Taranaki War Victoria Cross Recipient. He was gazetted for the award on September 23, 1864 for his actions as a an ensign, along with drummer Dudley Stagpoole, in the 57th Regiment of Foot, British Army, on October 23, 1863 at Pontoko, New Zealand, while engaging the Maori natives during the Second Taranaki War. Nothing is known of his early life or when he joined the British Army. He died from a fever at the age of 24 while still serving in New Zealand. His joint Victoria Cross citation reads: "For their conduct at Pontoko, on the 2nd October, in rescuing a wounded comrade from the rebel Maori. They succeeded in bringing in the wounded man, who was lying at about fifty yards from the bush, although the enemy kept up a very heavy fire from the bush at short range, and also from behind fallen logs close at hand. The man had been wounded during an engagement with the rebel natives, and Ensign Down, and Drummer Stagpoole, responded to the call of the Officer commanding the detachment of the Regiment for volunteers to bring him in. The Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field has already been conferred on Drummer Stagpoole, for the energy and devotion which he displayed on the 25th September, 1863, at the affair near Kaipakopako, in having, though wounded in the head, twice volunteered and brought in wounded men."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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