The Taranaki Mounted VolunteersWalton’s medal application suggests that he joined the Taranaki Mounted Volunteers (aka Taranaki Cavalry Volunteers) in 1863 or 1864. At this time the unit was commanded by the highly capable Captain Francis Joseph MACE, later to be awarded the New Zealand Cross. Born in Madeira in 1837, MACE was educated in England, and arrived in New Plymouth in 1856 with his parents aboard the barque
St. Michael. Mace volunteered for military service in 1860 and eventually joined the Mounted Volunteers as orderly to Col. Carey. He eventually reached the rank of Captain and took command of the Taranaki Mounted Volunteers which under his leadership was described by the Defence Minister, Col. HAULTAIN, as second to none in the colony.
(Source: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand (Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington Provincial Districts).http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d1-d27-d60.htmlThe Fitzwilliam Museum (UK) provided this description of the role of the Taranaki Mounted Volunteers in an extract from a biography of Trooper Antonio RODRIQUEZ, who was awarded the New Zealand Cross for gallantry at the Battle of Poutoko (Allen’s Hill) on 2 October 1863:
"The Taranaki Rifle and Mounted Volunteers had the distinction of being the first mounted troops to be used in New Zealand and were noted from the outset of the wars for their gallantry and efficiency....The duties of the Mounted Volunteers were various but included carrying dispatches and orders to and from the commanding officers of the various regiments and companies involved in the fighting. They were often involved in rescuing wounded and at times drawn into actual engagement with the enemy. They were equipped with carbines, revolvers and sword, and were instructed by NCOs from the Imperial Cavalry."(Source: The Fitzwilliam Museum.)Quoted from: LESUMA, G. (2008). Antonio Rodriquez. Also known as Antonio Rodriquez de SARDINHA. New Zealand Cross and New Zealand War Medal. Not published.
http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/dept/coins/exhibitions/NZCross/NZCross.htmlAccording to
New Zealand Medal to Colonials (10th ed.) the Taranaki Mounted Volunteers fought as a unit in a number of actions between 1860 and 1865, with 39 medal claims made.
If WALTON was in this unit between c'1863-c'1866 he presumably fought in some of these actions, but if so he did not list any of them in his medal application.
So, question time:
Can anyone provide any information about the Taranaki Mounted Volunteers, specifically when it was formed or disbanded? Does anyone know if there is a published history of the unit? I have emailed the Taranaki Museum in the hope that they may be able to assist but if anyone has any information I'd be keen to read it.
That's it for tonight. Can't rush a good story...
