- William Odgers
William Odgers VC (
February 14 ,1834 -December 20 ,1873 ) was an English recipient of theVictoria Cross , the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.Details
He was 26 years old, and a
Leading Seaman in theRoyal Navy during theTaranaki Maori War ,New Zealand when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.On
28 March 1860 atOmata (locally known as Waireka),New Zealand , Leading Seaman Odgers of HMS "Niger" displayed conspicuous gallantry when a party of officers, sailors and marines from the ship stormed Kaipopo Pa during operations against rebel natives. He was the first to enter the pa under heavy fire, and assisted in hauling down the enemy's colours.Controversially this action was labelled a 'fictional triumph' and a myth by
James Belich in "The New Zealand Wars": (1986, Penguin Books, Auckland). However, Nigel Prickett in "Maori Casualties of the First Taranaki War, 1860-1861" (2005, Auckland Museum) demonstrates the action was a catastrophic defeat for southern insurgents who lost their overall chiefs and most of their lesser chiefs at Kaipopo Pa.A few days later, HMS "Niger" bombarded two coastal pa at Warea, about 40 kilometres south of New Plymouth, where the defeated Maori force had regrouped, with cannon and rockets.
This was the first VC won in New Zealand. He later achieved the rank of
Quartermaster , and was in the Coast Guard Service.William Odgers was born in Falmouth,
Cornwall , and died inSaltash , Cornwall.His medal is displayed at Sheesh Mahal Museum, Patiala, India.
ee also
*
List of Taranaki Maori War Victoria Cross recipients External links
* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/cornwall.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Cornwall)"
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