MISSING V.C.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 284, 30 November 1928, Page 10

MISSING V.C.

FOUND BY DUKE OF YORK. WON AT GATE PA IN 1>564. rPvOPEKTY OF CHRISTCHURCH LADY. Through the kindness of the Duke of \ork, a Victoria Cross has been recovered by the oi the recipient alter a lapse oi over GO years tsays the .Londou "Daily Chronicle j. The croia was awarded to Captain idiiiuel Mitchell, in Iso 4, when he ajs in command ot H.M.s. tlarnei in tiie attack on Te Papa, Tauranga, W-.v Zealand. Captain Mitchell, who rescued Coniruaiiuer Hay, who had been mortally wounded by the Maori lire, received the cross at bydney. Eventually it found its way to England, and. for many years all trace of it was lost. When the Duke and Duchess of York visited Isew Zealand last year, Miss Mitchell, of Christchureh, Sew Zealand, daughter of Captain Mitchell, asked the Duke if he could help her in the quest. The Duke caused inquiries to be instituted, and the cross was traced to a man who had purchase. 1 it in a London sale room. He readily agreed to return the cross to Miss Mitchell. Commander Hay, of H.M.s. Harrier, was one of the leaders of the storming party at Gate Pa on April 29, 1864. Samuel Mitchell was captain of the foretop of H.M.s. Harrier. He was recommended for the Victoria Cross for bringing Commander Hay, who was mortally wounded, out of the pa.