How Edward McKenna Won His V.C.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 283, 29 November 1941, Page 14

How Edward McKenna Won His V.C.

INCIDENTS near Tuakau on September 7 and 8, 1863, which won for Colour-Sergeant Edward McKenna, of the 65tt Regiment, more familiarly known as "The Tigers," the Victoria Cross and a commission were described by his eldest son following the publication in the Star of the circumstances surrounding the award of the Cross to Samuel Mitchell at Gate Pa in 1864. On leaving the army in New Zealand, Ensign McKenna joined the Railway Department and had been stationmaster at Palmerston North for about 12 years when he retired in 1903. He died five years later. In an official report which he wrote at Alexandra Redoubt, the site of which overlooks the Waikato River at Tuakau, on September 8, 1863, the colour-sergeant states that he was in a party under the command of Captain Swift. The intention was to attack a party of natives who had set fire to a friendly native pa near Cameron (situated then on the northern bank of the river below Te Kohanga) and to rescue a Mr.

Armitage and some friendly Maoris as well as ; applies brought down from Waiuku. Led the Attack Following a series of manoeuvres the men of the famous 65th?, launched an attack in which Captain Swift was wounded. The instruction of the officer to Colour-Sergeant McKenna was to take his revolver and lead the men. The operations which had begun at 2.30 p.m. on September 7 did not finish until near dark, and it was not until 11 a.m. I the next day, after being relieved by other troops, that the party returned to camp. Captain Swift was buried in Auckland. For his services in the operations, in which 20 to 30 natives were killed and wounded, Colour-Sergeant McKenna received the Cross and a commission. Lance-Corporal Ryan, who was ordered to remain in the bush with Private Bulford in charge of Captain Swith until he died, was also awarded the Victoria Cross, but he did not survive to wear the honour. A short time after the engagement at Cameron town he was drowned while attempting to save a drunken soldier who had fallen into the water. Bulford was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. On the death of Mr. McKenna his family decided to place his Victoria Cross and the revolver handed to him by Captain Swift in the Auckland Museum. The miniature of the bronze cross awarded "For Valour" now showing the signs of age is worn by right by the eldest son, Mr. A. McKenna, of 3, Cauley Street, Ellerslie.