AN OLD PHOTOGRAPH

Patea Mail, 15 November 1939, Page 4

AN OLD PHOTOGRAPH

OF WAIREKA VETERANS Recalling the troublous times of early Taranaki, photograph of historic interest has been acquired .by Mr. E. It. C. Gilmour, Mayor of New Plymouth, Avho intends presenting it to the authorities for placing in the old colonists’ room at the New Plymouth Museum, says the Taranaki Herald. The photograph depicts a' group of 41 veterans of the Battle of Wairejka, which took place in .18(50. The Taranaki volunteers marched from New Plymouth at 1.150 p.m. on March 28, the force comprising Captain Chas. Brown in command, nine other officers, and rank and file comprising, 52 militia and OS Volunteer Rifles, of a total strength of IGO. The story of the Battle of Waireka -is well known, but it is interesting to recall that it made military history as it was the first time in the history of the British Empire that volunteer and regular forces had fought together. The Taranaki casualties comprised one killed (Sergeant; Fahey of the militia), and eight wounded, while it is estimated that at least thirty natives were killed. Perusal of the names will indicate what a part the veterans played in the progress of Taranaki. Those in the photograph arc Captain, afterwards Major Chas. Brown, Captain-Adjutant, afterwards Colonel, Btapp, •Lieutenant, afterwards Captain, .1. S. McKellar, 2nd Lieutenant, afterwards faptain, F. L. Webster, and 2nd Lieutenant, afterwards Captain, -Jonas, Captains F. J. Mace, N.Z.C., W. Bayley, H. Brown, W. Ncwland, Lieutenants T. McGuinness, Mi. Garrick, W. H. Free, Messrs W. Berridge, G. Hoby, W. Marshall, E. Ballot, T. ,Allen, T. Vcale, J. C. Honeyfield, W. D. Webster, W. Smart, G. B. Haigh, W. Wilson, W. Tat ( on, R. Baker, E. Armitagn, N. Hooker, F. Oliver, J. A. Ward, W. Beam, W. J. Grayling, R. Langmau, B. Bishop, G. Tunnicliffe, Hall, F. Beam, S. Allan,' S. Loveridge, J. Andrew, J. Pearn and J. Kenyon. Col. Stapp was the grandfather of J>. Graves, Wavcrley, and Captain Jonas the father of Mrs. J. B. Hine, wife of Major Hine, at one time member for Stratford. Mr. T. Allen was the father of Mr. W. A, Alien, Alton, and for many voars a resident of Patea.