Hi Mona Lisa,
Another tidbit.
From 'Nominal Roll of No. 1 Division, Armed Constabulary as at 23 July 1869, Bay of Plenty'.
'Constable William JOYCE, joined 8 Dec 1868.'
Source: Archives New Zealand, reference: No.1 Division Armed Constabulary Nominal Return - Officers, NCOs [Non Commissioned Officers], constables and non-effective - 1869 (number, rank, name, going date, date of becoming non-effective, parades (?) showing cause of becoming non-effective) (R17717718)
Agency: ACIS Series: 17649 Record group: P8 Box/Item: 5/5 Record no. (CDO 69/5189)
This quote is again taken from my instruction sheet for this file for submission to the New Zealand Society of Genealogists:
'Historical Context: During the time covered by this file, detachments of No. 1 Division were based in the Bay of Plenty at Matata, Fort Galatea, Fort Clarke and Fort Alfred. The forts were defensive positions sited to protect the region against Maori attacks, and also used as bases for General Whitmore’s advance into the Urewera Ranges in pursuit of Te Kooti. Fort Galatea, now the site of Fort Galatea Scenic Reserve, was located at Murupara, on the left bank of the Rangitaiki River. Built by a force under Major ROBERTS command in April 1869. Fort Clarke was located at Matahina and built in May 1869 during Col. Whitmore’s invasion of Te Urewera. Held by a Maori force commanded by Capt. PREECE as late as 1871. Fort Alfred was located at Te Teko, sited about 3km south of the town near the left bank of the Rangitaiki River, exact position not known. It was built in 1869 as a supply depot for Col. Whitmore’s invasion of Te Urewera. In May 1869 Fort Alfred supported a detachment of 120 European Armed Constabulary, 418 Maori troops and logistic support elements. Possibly a small defence work with a larger adjacent camp. For a contemporary description of the area and these forts refer to Hawke's Bay Herald, 6 August 1869, Page 3 - Matata.'