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  1. #1
    Loves to help with queries
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    Default British Army in New Zealand

    Not sure if this is the correct forum-but here goes
    My ancestor Edward Ponton was in the army between 1860 and 1891. I have a copy of his records which show that he served in New Zealand between 1863 and 1867. Why would we be going over thereand where would I obtain further information regarding his time in New Zealand?

  2. #2
    Procat
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    Hi Eric,

    The "Maori Wars" were taking place at the time. Try Google but here is something to start with newzealandwars.co.nz/ (put https://www. at the start)

  3. #3
    Name well known on Brit-Gen
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    Default

    When researching someone who fought in these wars, I found this site very useful too.

  4. #4

    Default

    They are pretty well documented hereabouts, we should be able to find something.

    Do you know his regiment?

    Dale in New Zealand

  5. #5
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    Default

    Daleway I think he was in either the Wiltshire Regiment or the Artillery

  6. #6

    Default

    The Wiltshire Regiment's major involvement in New Zealand skirmishes was in the 1840s, and apparently they spent 1865 onwards in South Africa. However Wikipedia reckons: "Following the capture of Te Rauparaha in 1846, the Regiment would depart New Zealand and return to Australia, although detachments would be sent as needed to reinforce the British forces in New Zealand for the next few years to keep the peace.[14] For its service in the First Maori War, the regiment earned its first battle honour."
    The First Maori War refers to the British name for the skirmishes of the 1845-47 era - these days we tend to call the 1860s wars either the Land Wars or the New Zealand Wars.
    So it looks like he was not in the Wiltshire regiment, as they do not appear to have been here in the 1860s.


    Here's a useful section of Te Ara, the Encyclopedia of New Zealand online:
    https://www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/bri...-new-zealand/1

    What else do his records say?

  7. #7
    SueNSW
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    He seems to have been Royal Artillery - probably 4th Brigade - and he was awarded the New Zealand Medal

    The latter paragraphs of this site refers to 1864 when he is likely to have arrived (overseas service normally dates from departure from Britain to arrival back in Britain) https://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-...r/ra-in-nz.htm

    The NZ Paper Past site has many hits with a search of "Royal Artillery" between the end of 1863 and the end of 1866 - these first 2 give details from en route - then on arrival

    Wellington Independent, 12 January 1864
    https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi...tillery%22-all

    Taranaki Herald, 6 February 1864
    https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi...tillery%22-all

    Happy reading

    Sue

  8. #8
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    Default

    I think Suensw has got it right as I know he did get the New Zealand medal. His records give no further information about his stay in New Zealand
    Thanks again for all your imput

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