Description
New Zealand War Medal, dated 1863-66, 371 Private Henry Jones, 43rd Light Infantry, who fought in the capture of Maketu and 4 Skirmishes during the Maori Wars.
43rd (Monmoutshire) Regiment of Foot Light Infantry, later amalgamated with the Oxfordshire Light Infantry in 1881, precursor of the Oxs and Bucks L.I.
Officially impressed: “371 Hy Jones 43rd Lt Inftry” Little evidence of wear as earned in 1866 but the medal was only instituted in 1869 so issued after his discharge.
Confirmed on the medal roll, the great detail provided by the Medal Roll of the 43rd Light Infantry states that he was amongst those of the 43rd Lt Infy who took part in the Capture of Maketu during 1864 and also fought in no less than 4 skirmishes with the Maoris.
It notes that he was discharged on 30th April 1869, along with many of the other men due to the reduction of the regiment.
Medal roll records service in New Zealand between 11th December 1863 until 8th March 1866.
Private Henry Jones was serving as early as 1861 stationed in India with the regiment that had previously fought gallantly in the Indian Mutiny, he was part of that original contingent that was brought over, having embarked in India on 8th October and reaching Auckland on 11th December.
He had likely signed up just after the Mutiny as he did not earn a medal.
When the 43rd arrived in New Zealand they carried with them the pride of having just won their first Victoria Cross through Henry Addison earned during 1859.
By the time they finished up in New Zealand and finally returned home, the regiment having spent over 15 years stationed overseas, they brought home yet another Victoria Cross earned by Frederick Augustus Smith for his attack on a Maori Trench.
The Battle of Maketu as recounted in the Regimental History of the 43rd:
1864.
On the 21st of April force, under Major Colville, 43rd, was engaged with the enemy at Why-hee, about
two miles from the Fort at Maketu. An ambuscade had been laid near the ford at Why-hee, and party of rebels opened fire on Major Colville, Ensign Way, 3rd Waikato Regiment, and Private Key, 43rd, when crossing the river in canoe. They were chased across the ford, and on their jumping out were followed by the Maories yelling and firing until they gained the bush
and escaped. The rebels were not more than fifty yards distant, when the pursuit commenced, and Major Colville
in his despatch describes their preservation as “most providential and wonderful.”
On arrival at the Fort party of fifty men of the 43rd and 3rd Waikato Regiment
