Charles Heaphy
Major, Auckland Militia of the New Zealand Military Forces
- Register No.
- 551 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Major all Majors →
- Unit
- Auckland Militia of the New Zealand Military Forces all Auckland Militia VCs →
- Date of action
- 11 February 1864 on this day → all of 1864 →
- Conflict / campaign
- New Zealand Wars
- London Gazette
- 8th February 1867 on this day → all of 1867 →
- Born
- in 1822 at St John's Wood, London
- Died
- 3rd August, 1881 at Queensland, Australia
- Memorial / grave
- at Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and at Dunedin RSA, New Zealand
Digest of citation
On 11th February 1864 on the banks of the Mangapico River, New Zealand, Major Heaphy went to the assistance of a soldier who had fallen into a hollow where there were a great many Maoris concealed. While doing this, the Major became a target for a volley from only a few feet away. Five musket balls pierced his clothes and cap and he was hit in three places, but in spite of this he stayed with the wounded man all day
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
HEAPHY, Charles. (reg No. 551).
Major. Auckland Militia of the New Zealand Military Forces.
London Gazetted on 8th February 1867.
Born on in 1822 at St John's Wood, London.
Died on 3rd August, 1881 at Queensland, Australia.
Memorials on grave at Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and at Dunedin RSA, New Zealand.
Digest of Citation reads: On 11th February 1864 on the banks of the Mangapico River, New Zealand, Major Heaphy went to the assistance of a soldier who had fallen into a hollow where there were a great many Maoris concealed. While doing this, the Major became a target for a volley from only a few feet away. Five musket balls pierced his clothes and cap and he was hit in three places, but in spite of this he stayed with the wounded man all day.
Additional information:. He was the first soldier serving with the New Zealand Army to be awarded the Victoria Cross. At the time of the above skirmish, Major was in charge of a party of men from the 40th and 50th regiments, under the direct orders are Lieutenant Colonel Henry Marshman Havelock, Bart., CB.,VC., who was the senior officer in that area. He had move down to where the troops were most heavily engaged. (In the book, VC 1856-1920, It is believed that Major Heaphy Died on in 1898.).
Additional information
He was the first soldier serving with the New Zealand Army to be awarded the Victoria Cross. At the time of the above skirmish, Major was in charge of a party of men from the 40th and 50th regiments, under the direct orders are Lieutenant Colonel Henry Marshman Havelock, Bart., CB.,VC., who was the senior officer in that area. He had move down to where the troops were most heavily engaged. (In the book, VC 1856-1920, It is believed that Major Heaphy Died on in 1898.).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and at Dunedin RSA, New Zealand
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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