Personal info
- Name: Frederick Augustus SMITH
- D.O.B: 19th Nov, 1826
- D.O.A: 21st Jun, 1864
- D.O.D: 22nd Jul, 1887
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Captain, 43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry)
Te Ranga, near Tauranga, New Zealand 21 June 1864
21 June 1864
The New Zealand Wars 1860–65
After withdrawing from the Gate Pa, the Maori chief Rawiri and the Ngati Rangi began to construct a fort at Te Ranga, 4 miles to the south. On 21 June 1864 Colonel Greer, with some 600 men of the 43rd and 68th Regiments, came upon them. Though the pa was unfinished, the Maori stood and fought but despite gallant resistance Rawiri was killed and the position captured. The defeat broke the resistance of the Ngati Rangi and in July 1864 they sued for peace.
Citation
For his distinguished conduct during the engagement at Tauranga, on the 21st of June. He is stated to have led on his Company in the most gallant manner at the attack on the Maories’ position, and, although wounded previously to reaching the Rifle Pits, to have jumped down into them, where he commenced a hand to hand encounter with the Enemy, thereby giving his men great encouragement, and setting them a fine example.
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