The Maori War medal awarded to Captain the Hon. A. E. Harris, 43rd Foot, who was thrice mentioned in despatches for services in New Zealand 1864-65
New Zealand 1845-66, reverse undated (Captn. Hon. A. E. Harris. 43rd Foot) very fine £500-600
Arthur Ernest Harris was born on 31 January 1835, son of William, 2nd Baron Harris of Seringapatam and Mysore, and Isabella Helena Temple. He was appointed Ensign in the 55th Foot on 14 April 1854, but exchanged to the 43rd Foot on 5 May following; Lieutenant, 23 March 1855; Captain, by purchase, 23 July 1861; retired 30 September 1866.
Harris served throughout the Indian Mutiny campaign of 1857-58, as Aide-de-Camp to Brigadier Macduff. He served in the New Zealand war of 1864-65, and was present at Maketu and Te Ranga (despatches); and with the expeditions in the province of Taranaki, and in command of outposts, destroying many Pas and fortified villages (despatches).
Despatch from Major J. M. Colvile, 43rd Light Infantry, Commanding, Maketu, London Gazette 15 July 1864: ‘Finding the enemy mustering strong, I sent for a further reinforcement of 30 men under the command of Captain Harris, 43rd Light Infantry... My best thanks are due to Captains Smith [awarded Victoria Cross for Te Ranga] and Honourable A. E. Harris, 43rd Light Infantry, for the able manner they led their companies into action.’
Despatch from Colonel H. H. Greer, Commanding Taurangra District, London Gazette 16 September 1864: ‘Captain the Honourable A. Harris, 43rd Light Infantry, who was detached to the right in command of two companies of the 43rd, to enfilade the enemy’s position, and afterwards brought the companies, at a critical moment, to assist in the assault.’
Despatch from Major-General Chute, Commanding Forces in New Zealand, dated Wellington, 15 February 1866, London Gazette 15 May 1866: ‘Prior to my departure from Opunaki I instructed Captain the Hon. A. E. Harris, 43rd Light Infantry, to capture and destroy a pah near Warea, to which it was reported the rebels from Waikato had retired. In this service he was to be aided by Captain Livesay, with a detachment of the 43rd Light Infantry from Opunaki, and the military settlers from Tipoka. This duty was effectually performed, the enemy having been driven from the place with loss, and the village destroyed.’
After his retirement Captain Harris became a Justice of the Peace for County Westmeath. In April 1900 his name was changed by Royal Licence to Harris-Temple. He died on 12 August 1906. Sold with copied research.
Awarded in 1869 to the survivors who fought in the Maori Wars. Army and Navy personnel received the award as well as local militia troops. Both campaigns were the result of Maori resistance to the continuing encroachment of settlers on their lands.
Description: Sterling silver 36 mm diameter. The suspension ornamented with New Zealand fern fronds. Obverse: the veiled head of Queen Victoria. Reverse: Date of service in a wreath, with NEW ZEALAND round the top and VIRTUTIS HONOR (honour of valour) round the foot.
Clasps or Bars: None.
Naming: The medal was almost always impressed in Roman capitals when awarded to Army and Navy personnel, although some awards to local militia are found engraved.
Ribbon: Blue with central orange stripe.
Note: This medal is one of the most complicated of the campaign medal series as there are 29 different reverse types – one undated (as in example above), the others bearing differing dates showing when the recipient served in New Zealand (example on left).
Applications: Officers and Men of the Colonial Forces were required to make application for the NZ Medal for services performed prior to the 31st December 1866 and whose claims were admitted by the War Medal Commissioners. These were entered on the Nominal Medal Roll in 1871.
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