18 th REGIMENT (ROYAL IRISH) 2 nd BATTALION IN NEW ZEALAND

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1 18 th REGIMENT (ROYAL IRISH) 2 nd BATTALION IN NEW ZEALAND GERALD J. ELLOTT MNZM RDP FRPSL FRPSNZ AUGUST 2017

2 18 th (ROYAL IRISH) REGIMENT Paddy s Blackguards) 2 nd BATTALION The Royal Irish Regiment was raised on 1 April 1684 by Charles II, when he reorganised the Military Forces of Ireland. A second Battalion was raised in March to April 1858, and in May 1862, they were at Jersey and Alderney in the Channel Islands, returning to Parkhurst Barracks, Isle of Wight on 21 February The Regiment saw active service in most parts of the world, including, Bunker s Hill, Egypt, China, Burma, the Crimea, India etc. On 2 April 1863, the 2 nd Battalion, Headquarters and eight Companies, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel A. A. Chapman, embarked at Portsmouth in the ship Elizabeth Ann Bright for New Zealand, followed on 12 April 1863 by the two Service Companies under Brevet Colonel G. J. Carey in the ship Norwood. NEW ZEALAND The Black Ball Line Elizabeth Ann Bright, reached Auckland on 2 July 1863, and the Norwood arrived on 2 August The troops disembarking the next day in both cases. The Black Ball Line Marco Polo 2

3 Otahuhu Upon landing, they marched to Otahuhu Camp, where they were outfitted with their Blue Serge Jumpers etc., before proceeding to Drury Camp and the Queen s Redoubt at Pokeno. (9-10 July 1863) Otahuhu Camp Drury A Detachment of 200 men under Captain J. Inman was stationed just west of Drury on land owned by Mr. Runciman. Other Detachments were stationed along the newly opened Military Road, in order to protect the passage of both supplies and men. 3

4 The Road to War The 18 th Regiment were engaged on clearing Trees and undergrowth on the Military Road Kiri Kiri 16 July Captain E. A. Noblett, with four Subalterns and 150 Rank & File, together with a Detachment of the 65 th Regiment and one Officer and four men of the Royal Artillery, all under the command of Colonel G. F. Murray (65 th ), commanding the Troops at Drury, were involved in marching to the Maori villages at Kiri Kiri (Papakura), where 13 Maori prisoners were taken. Baird s Farm Attack on the Convoy Great South Road On 17 July 1863, Captain J. E. Ring and two Officers, two Sergeants and 47 Rank & File, of the 18 th Regiment, whilst marching from Queen s Redoubt to Drury, were attacked at the Stone Depot near Baird s Farm, retiring to Mr. Martin s Farm. In the action four Privates were killed and 10 men wounded, including one Sergeant, two Corporals and one Lance Corporal, one Private was reported missing. According to the Journals of the Deputy QM General D. Gamble there were 16 Casualties, but I have not located any lists in the despatches to General Cameron in the NZ Gazette. 4

5 Kiri Kiri On 22 July 1863, a Detachment of the 18 th Regiment, under the command of Captain J. E. Ring, together with Lieutenant T. C. Wray, again came under fire when in the vicinity of Kiri Kiri, Wairoa-Road, when a mixed Force of Royal Artillery, 65 th Regiment, 18 th Regiment and the Volunteer Militia were attacked. One Private of the 18 th was killed, and three wounded; total casualties two killed and four wounded. Captain J. E. Ring, was mentioned in Despatches. List of casualties suffered by men of the 18 th Regiment. No. 925 Private John Ewins (No. 1 Company) Killed No. 805 Private John Hamilton, (No. 1 Company) Wounded severely No. 324 Private Thos. Dunbar (No. 7 Company) Wounded slightly No. - Private Conroy, (No. 7 Company) Wounded slightly Captain James Ring in his despatch 23 July 1863, mentioned the following Officers; Lieutenant Wray, Ensign Jackson, and Ensign Butts. 200 men under Captain James Ring, constructed a Redoubt on the Wairoa-Road, two miles from Papakura close to the Kiri Kiri Stream and Settlement. This redoubt was named Ring s Redoubt, also known as the Kiri Kiri Redoubt. Alarm On the 20 August 1863, Colonel G. F. Carey, who was meanwhile commanding Auckland and Otahuhu, carried out the Alarm in the city of Auckland, to test the effectiveness of the training of the Militia and Volunteers in the city. Williamson s Clearing On the 25 August 1863, the convoy escorts were attacked at Williamson s Clearing when Captain R. P. Bishopp and a small detachment of the 18 th Regiment came to the assistance of a Detachment of the 40 th, 65 th & 14 th Regiments. Lieutenant W. F. Thacker (18 th ) commanding at Williamson s Crossing also brought reinforcements from that post. Casualties suffered were two killed and nine wounded, which included one Private of the 18 th wounded. Headquarters Drury Early in September 1863, Headquarters of the 18 th Regiment was transferred to Drury, leaving two Companies under Captain E. A. Noblett to man the Queen s Redoubt. 5

6 Pokeno On 2 September 1863, a picket party comprising two Sergeants and 60 Rank & File under Ensign C. Dawson (18 th ) were attacked near the deserted native village of Pokeno. Relief came from Captain Hon. F. Le P. Trench (40 th ) who was in charge of the Inlying Picket which had been augmented by the arrival of the escort under Captain E. A. Noblett (18 th ). There were no casualties in this encounter. Ensign C. Dawson and Lieutenant W. T. Croft (escort party) of the 18 th were both mentioned in the despatch. Men of the 18 th Regiment were either constantly being attacked at their positions along the Military Road or going to the aid of other groups being attacked. Galloway Redoubt On 15 September 1863, the Stockade near the Galloway Redoubt at Wairoa (Clevedon) was attacked by the Maoris who were driven off by men of the 18 th Regiment together with the Militia Volunteers, Auckland Rifle Volunteers and the Wairoa Rifles. Otaua Two days later, on 17 September 1863, Lieutenant J. J. R. Russell (18 th ) and a small party of men were sent to Otaua to destroy the Maori whares (houses). Major W. C. Lyon, in command of the Redoubt, with a combined Force of 70 men proceeded to Otaua where they approached the settlement from the rear. The troops fired into the whares and killed eight Maoris and wounded many more. This action apparently foiled a planned attack by the Maoris on Cameron s left and rear. Lieutenant J. R. Russell (18 th ) was mentioned in Major W. C. Lyon Despatch. Mauku Church Stockade On 23 October 1863, a large number of Maoris approached the Stockade and began firing at cattle at the Wheeler s farm, situated between the Ti Ti summit and the Bald Hills. The small Force at the Stockade, about 60 strong, made up of Mauku Volunteers and 1 st Waikato Militia, were under the command of Lieutenant D. H. Lusk of the Mauku Volunteers. Lieutenant D. H. Lusk sent out a party of 12 men under Lieutenant Perceival to investigate, and at the same time sent Lieutenant Norman to Drury to advise Lieut. Colonel A. A. Chapman (18 th ), commanding at Drury, of the situation and requesting reinforcements. Reinforcements of 80 men under Captain St John, Waikato Militia, were immediately despatched, and following the news that fighting had already broken out, further reinforcements of 200 men of the 18th and 70 th Regiments, under Major G. A. Ryan (70 th ) were sent from Drury. 6

7 New Zealand Gazette 7

8 Mauku Church Stockade, the loopholes are still prominent today Mauku Church Stockade Early morning on the 24 October 1863, the men from the 18 th Regiment arrived, however by this time Lieutenant D. H. Lusk s small Force had incautiously engaged the Maoris, who greatly outnumbered them, with casualties of eight killed and four wounded, Lieutenants Perceival and Norman both being killed. The men of the 18 th Regiment marched back to Drury where they arrived after 22 hours of continuous marching. Ring s Redoubt Kiri Kiri At the end of October 1863, two Companies of the 18 th Regiment, under the command of Captain E. A. Noblett, were sent to reinforce the men at Ring s Redoubt (Kiri Kiri) Wairoa-Road. Rangiriri The 18 th Regiment was not part of Lt-General Cameron s Force which attacked Rangiriri, nor did they accompany the Lt. General to Ngaruawahia. 8

9 Thames Expeditionary Force This is the only cover recorded from any of the three Redoubts Constructed between Miranda and the Queen s Redoubt 9

10 Thames Expeditionary Force Three men of the 18 th Regiment were members of the Thames Expeditionary Force which constructed a chain of Redoubts and Camps from Miranda to the Queen s Redoubt in November December Officers and men of the 18 th were employed in various ways, escorting convoys and prisoners between the Front Line and Drury, as well as making and repairing the roads. Manning the Redoubts In January 1864, part of the Regiment was sent to guard the line of communications from the Queen s Redoubt to Ngaruawahia (Newcastle) and the remainder of the Regiment, garrisoned the chain of Redoubts; Esk, Miranda, and Surrey. 200 men reached the Surry Redoubt on 7 January 1864, where a detachment was left, before proceeding to the Esk, where Captain J. A. J. Briggs and a further detachment were left, then on another four miles to Miranda. At Miranda Captain W. Kemp with 100 men of the 18 th and an equal number of Waikato Militia, enlarged the Redoubt and made a road down to the landing place. Pukerumu As Lieut-General Cameron advanced through the Waikato and moved forward from Te Rore, the Headquarters of the 18 th Regiment stationed at Ngaruawahia moved and formed a Post at Pukerumu on the left bank of the Waikato River to prevent the return of the Maoris down the River. Not all the Companies went with Headquarters to Pukerumu; a Detachment of four companies under Captain Ring went to Te Awamutu. Rangiaohia - Hairini On 21 February 1864, under the command of Lieut-General Cameron, four Officers, five Sergeants, three Drummers, and 136 Rank & File of the 18 th Regiment were part of a combined Force of 656 which left Te Awamutu for Rangiaohia, where the Maoris were engaged with a loss of five killed and three wounded, and on 22 February at Hairini where the losses were three killed and 15 wounded, no losses being sustained by the 18 th Regiment. Orakau 10

11 On 30 March 1864 Brig-General G. J. Carey (18 th ), commanding at Te Awamutu, decided to attack the Maoris at Orakau, where they were constructing a large fortified Pa, with a combined Force made up of the 18 th, 40 th, 65 th and 12 th Regiments, Royal Artillery, together with the Militia, 3 rd Waikato and the Forest Rangers. On 30 March 1864, Captain J. E. Ring, two Subalterns, eight Sergeants, two Drummers and 110 Rank & File, left Te Awamutu arriving at dawn on 31 March 1864 at Orakau. The Maoris opened fire on Captain Ring s advance guard which was supported by 100 men of the 40 th Regiment and 20 Forest Rangers. Captain Ring led the attack, but was forced to retire. Reinforced with another Company of the 40 th Regiment, Captain Ring assaulted the position again but with no better success and with great loss of life, including his own. In the ensuing Battle, the British losses were 17 killed and 51 wounded, the Maori losses being 160 killed and 50 wounded. The 18 th Regiment losses were Killed: Captain (Promoted to Brevet-Major) Ring. Sergeant W. Lawson Privates; John Carroll, Michael Bellaire, Thomas Traynor, Hugh Cassidy and Corporals; Johnson, and George Carroll, Drummer James Lyon. Wounded Privates; John Close, George Thomas, Patrick Fay, John O Donnell, John Carlyle, James Stanton, George Gallagher, Thomas Hannon, Thomas Jenkins. Captains Baker and J. Inman of the 18 th were mentioned in Brig-General Carey s despatch. 11

12 The Ōrākau battle site memorial obelisk Tauranga Gate Pa The 18 th Regiment did not go to Tauranga, where fighting had continued after the Battle of Orakau, but was sent back to Ngaruawahia where they were stationed for three months before being transferred to Otahuhu and Auckland for the remainder of

13 No. 323 Private William Moore was discharged in New Zealand on 28 February His trade was Coachmaker. 13

14 Wanganui On 2 January 1865, a Detachment of seven Companies (About 500 men of all ranks) under the control of Major J. H. Rocke, embarked for Wanganui in HMS Falcon and HMS Eclipse. The remainder of the Battalion was left under Lieut-Colonel A. A. Chapman at Otahuhu Camp. HMS Eclipse ran ashore on a sandbank, and the soldiers were transferred to another ship. Waitotara Block Lt-General Cameron took the field in Wanganui under instructions to take possession of the Waitotara Block and to operate against the Maoris from Kai Iwi to Taranaki. Nukumaru On 24 January 1865, Cameron marched from Wanganui with about 2000 British Troops and two field guns, and made his first Camp at Nukumaru, 15 miles north of Wanganui. The camp was attacked by the Hau Hau Maoris, and the British losses were 16 killed and 32 wounded. Officers and men on picket duty were involved in the first attacks, and Captain Hugh Shaw was awarded the Victoria Cross for his part in the fighting., Private George Clampitt and Private J. Brien, together with one other private, that assisted Captain Shaw in rescuing Private Connelly, were awarded the Silver Medal for distinguished conduct in the field. Major Rocke with 100 men relieved the Picket, and the next day Captain Noblett with 75 men of the 18 th and 25 men of the 50 th Regiment arrived. Losses made by the 18 th Regiment after two days of fighting, were four Privates killed and 11 wounded, this included Private J. Brien who had assisted Captain Shaw in rescuing Private Connelly. The Hau Hau Maoris eventually fell back to their fortified Pa at Weraroa, which Cameron decided to bypass, an action which was strongly criticised by the Governor, Sir George Grey. Private George Clampitt s Medals 14

15 The Lion Memorial at Whanganui 18 th Regiment List includes Lt. R. Lawson, Ensign George C. Jenkins, J. N. Longlhin, L/C P. Conlin, Privates P. Connelly, J. Brien, S. Heathwood, F. Travers, G. Sparks, J. Fisher, E. Christopher, T. Dobell, H. Kilroy, P. Shea, T. Crossan, J. Corigan, P. Sheridan, R. Brown, J. Harrity. 15

16 Patea Major Rocke and four Companies of the 18 th Regiment were left to guard the bridges at the mouth of the Waitotara River, and the remainder of the Battalion, recently joined by three Headquarters Companies under Lieut- Colonel Chapman, marched with the rest of the column to Patea. The 18 th Regiment remained here for several months in charge of a line of Posts on the road between Wanganui and Taranaki. Whilst at Patea, two Officers; Lieutenants O. R. Lawson and G. C. Jenkins, were carried out by the tide and drowned. Te Ngaio Lieut-General Cameron marched up the coast northwards, establishing Posts and encountering mixed opposition. The principal opposition encountered was at Te Ngaio, between Patea and Kakaramea, where on 15 March 1865, the Hau Hau Maoris attacked the Column, and in the ensuing action, they lost 80 killed, the British losses being one killed and three wounded. It was the heaviest blow in point of casualties that the Hau Hau Maoris suffered in the West Coast War. The 18 th Regiment were not involved in this action. Hawera Lieut-General Cameron continued his march northwards up to Hawera and the Waingongoro River; however, supplies were difficult to provide, and almost virtually impossible to get by sea, so Cameron decided that the most prudent thing to do was to retrace his steps, leaving Detachments guarding the various Redoubts and Posts on his route. (About 8 April 1865). On 29 April 1865, Cameron left Patea to confer with the Governor in Auckland on future operations. In June 1865, Lieut-Colonel A. A. Chapman was invalided home, and Major J. H. Rocke assumed command of the 18 th Regiment. 16

17 Governor Sir George Grey takes Command of the Forces Weraroa Pa Governor Sir George Grey, was determined to remove the Hau Hau Maoris from the Weraroa Pa with or without the assistance of Lieut- General Cameron. Having called for the surrender of the Pa by the Hau Hau Maoris and receiving a negative response, he induced Major-General Richard Waddy (50 th ) to send up 400 British Troops as a support to his own assembled local forces of about 400 men (Yeomanry, Cavalry, Dismounted, Forest Rangers and the Maori Contingent) under Major Rookes. The Governor s plan was to have his local forces surround the rear of the Weraroa Pa and command the nearby Hau Hau Maoris villages of Perekama and Arei Ahi, whilst the British Troops, which included 100 men of the 18 th Regiment under Captain Noblett and an equal number of the 14 th Regiment were to demonstrate and threaten an attack upon the front of the Pa. The British Troops by Bluff convinced the Hau Hau that a large body of soldiers were preparing for an assault, and they decided to abandon their position during the night almost without firing a shot, there being no known losses on either side (20 July 1865). Major-General Trevor Chute Following Lieut-General Cameron s resignation, Major General Trevor Chute was appointed to take over command of military operations, and in October 1865, arrived in New Plymouth to confer with Colonel Warre. On 30 December 1865, Major General Trevor Chute who had received directions from Sir George Grey to open a campaign against the Hau Hau Maoris between Wanganui and Taranaki, marched out of Wanganui, in command of a combined Force of 33 Royal Artillery, under Lieutenant Carre, 100 Officers and men of the 18 th Regiment, with 45 Forest Rangers, 300 Wanganui Native Contingent and other friendly Maoris under Major McDonnell, and a Transport Corps of 45 men each driving two horse drays. 17

18 Te Putahi On 7 January 1866, men of the 18 th Regiment were involved in the action at Te Putahi, when the British losses were two killed and seven wounded, none of the 18 th being among the casualties, and as far as I can ascertain the last losses sustained by the 18th were at Nukumara on 24/25 January After the action at Te Putahi, Major Rocke and the 18 th Regiment were ordered back to Patea. With the culmination of Chute s march to Taranaki, the war as far as the British soldiers were concerned came to an end. With the New Zealand Government and the Governor having decided on a self-reliant policy, the embarkation of the British Regiments soon began. One Regiment was, as a temporary arrangement, to be left in New Zealand, and this honour was given to the 18 th Regiment. 18 th Regiment Casualties During the time that the Regiment was in active operations against the Maoris, their casualties were: - Officers Died of wounds Brevet Major J. T. Ring Died from accident or disease Lieutenants; - F. P. Lenonard & O. R. Lawson Ensign G. B. Jenkins Other Ranks Killed or died of wounds 17 Died from accident or disease 39 Wounded 36 Patea & Wanganui Until March 1867, the 18 th Regiment continued to hold the line of Posts between Patea and Wanganui, at which time they concentrated at Wanganui until December 1867, when Headquarters and six Companies were sent to Auckland, and two Detachments each of two Companies were sent to Napier and Taranaki. 18

19 Patea 21 December 1866 Letter from Major J. H. Rocke, addressed to the Commiserate Purveyor at the Patea Depot. Inviting Hemmingway on behalf of himself and Officers of the 18 th Regiment to join them for Christmas Dinner. 19

20 Wanganui The latest recorded letter from Private William Moore. There are only three 18 th Regiment 1d Soldiers Concession Rate Letters, recorded to date. 20

21 Auckland When Headquarters and six Companies reached Auckland, the command of the Battalion was assumed by Lieutenant-Colonel G. A. Elliot who had arrived from England on promotion from the 1 st Battalion, vice Colonel A. A. Chapman retired. The temporary arrangement of one Regiment staying in New Zealand, was extended by the Governor in defiance of both the Colonial and Home Governments. Arrangements made early in 1869 for the return of the Regiment were postponed and the Regiment remained in New Zealand until early 1870 Homeward Bound On 17 December 1869, a Detachment of two Companies left New Plymouth on board the s.s. Claude Hamilton, for Adelaide On 19 December 1869, a Detachment of two Companies, stationed at Napier, left there on-board HMS Virago, for Sydney via Wellington. The troops garrisoned at Wanganui embarked on the s.s. Kilda for Wellington to embark on board HMS Virago for Sydney and eventually Melbourne. On 24 February 1870, Headquarters and four Companies, and a Detachment of two Companies for Hobart Town, left Auckland on board s.s. Hero for Sydney Lieutenant. Colonel Elliot alone remained for a few weeks longer so that he could complete the transfer of the Barracks to the Colonial Government and arrange the sale of Imperial Stores. Auckland Barracks 21

22 We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. Winston Churchill " Believe nothing that you hear, a quarter of what you read, and only a half of what you see, and check and recheck your facts" Percy de Worms I accept that all the errors are solely mine I would appreciate any feedback, especially regarding any new or unknown, Soldiers 1d Concession Rate Letters etc. Original Research carried out in Original Draft 1990 This final presentation August 2017 Gerald J. Ellott gerald.ellott@gmail.com 22