William Odgers
Date of birth / Date established
Feb 1834
Date of death / Date closed
20 Dec 1873
Place of birth / Place established
Place of death / Place closed
Person/Corporate type
Individual
Biography
William Odgers was born in Falmouth, Cornwall, England in 1834. He joined the Royal Navy and sailed to Auckland on the HMS Niger to participate in the Land Wars. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for being the first man to storm and enter the pa under heavy artillery fire at Waireka in March 1860. He was also responsible for capturing the Maori's flags at the same pa. It is said that Odgers spent every penny of his Victoria Cross winnings at the bars in Auckland after having returned there following the engagements on the Niger. He later achieved the rank of Quartermaster and served in the Coast Guard Service. He remained in the Navy until 1868 when he retired and became a tavern keeper at an inn in Saltash Cornwall where he died in 1873.
- The Queen's Heroes: Victoria and New Zealand Crosses by Murray Moorhead
- Wikipedia
- The Queen's Heroes: Victoria and New Zealand Crosses by Murray Moorhead
- Wikipedia
