Maori Wars Medals

Lot 2091    Session 7 (11.30am Wednesday)    Maori Wars Medals

Estimate $25,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

PAIR: Distinguished Conduct Medal (QVR) (Benjn Thomas 65th Regt); New Zealand Medal 1861-1866 (3214 Benjn Thomas 65th Regt). First medal impressed, second renamed in an early style. Very fine.

With extensive research. Twenty-two DCMs were awarded for the New Zealand Wars. Four are privately held and only seven are known.

Benjamin Thomas was born in Leominster, England in March 1836. He enlisted in the 65th Regiment of Foot at Parkhurst on 31 October 1854, stating his occupation as Labourer and age at 18 years, 7 months. He embarked for New Zealand from Portsmouth on the 'Euphrates' on 26 December 1854 and arrived in Auckland on 26 April 1855. Private Thomas' detachment was immediately posted to disturbances in the Taranaki region. They served at Waireka in March 1860 and returned to Auckland in 1863. Later that year a detachment of the 65th Regiment (including Private Thomas) sent to man Alexandra Redoubt, overlooking the Waikato River near Tuakau, South of Auckland. From here they took part in a number of engagements and small skirmishes in the surrounding bush against hostile Maori who had been attacking supply lines and local settlers.

On 7 September 1863, in response to a request for assistance, a party of 50 soldiers from the 65th Regiment of Foot led by Captains Swift and Butler set forth from Alexandra Redoubt to Camerontown, 8 miles distant. After some time the troops encountered a raiding party of 300 hostile Maori who had been attacking the Commissariat depot at Camerontown. The Maori were positioned in large trees and dense bush on either side of the path to be used by the soldiers. A horrific volley of fire ensued and both officers in the detachment fell seriously wounded. Colour Sergeant McKenna assumed command of the party and charged the Maori who had temporarily retreated into the bush. Four Privates (including Private Thomas) under the command of Lance Corporal Ryan remained with the two wounded officers whilst McKenna and the balance of the Imperials pursued the Maoris through the bush. As night set in Captain Swift died and Corporal Ryan and two Privates (Cole and Talbot) returned to Alexandra Redoubt. The Maoris had doubled back around the party led by McKenna and were now scouring the bush for the two officers and those that had remained with them, necessitating the men to constantly find new cover.

Privates Thomas and Bulford remained with Lieutenant Butler and, as Lieutenant Butler complained bitterly of the cold, Private Thomas removed his wool short and greatcoat and covered Lieutenant Butler with them. Eventually Thomas and Bulford decided to carry Lieutenant Butler to Alexandra Redoubt. They made their way through the dense bush and arrived near the Redoubt at sunrise the next morning. Lieutenant Butler subsequently recovered from his wounds.

Private Thomas later served in the engagement at Rangiriri in November 1863 before the Regiment was posted to Te Awamutu in 1864. It was here on 18 June 1864 that he was presented with his Distinguished Conduct Medal by Lieutenant General Sir Duncan Cameron in respect of his bravery at Camerontown on 7 to 8 September 1863. McKenna and Ryan were awarded the Victoria Cross and 5 DCMs were awarded. Private Thomas took his discharge with gratuity at Otahuhu Camp, Auckland on 31 August 1865. He appears to have joined the Waikato Militia and subsequently the Forest Rangers (as had his colleague Col Sgt McKenna VC). Benjamin Thomas was given a Military Land Grant and died in Auckland on 14 January 1896. He was awarded a medal dated 1861-66 named to him in the 65th Regiment but in a Colonial style engraving.

This is the only example of this date to the Regiment. The Maori War Medal is renamed in a contemporary style. It is surmised that the medal was issued to him impressed for Waikato Militia service and that he then had it renamed at the time to reflect his more gallant 65th Regiment service.