Samuel Austin
Date of birth / Date established
1829
Date of death / Date closed
1903
Place of death / Place closed
Person/Corporate type
Individual
Biography
Sergeant Samuel Austin was awarded the New Zealand Cross for bravery in rescuing Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas McDonnell during the attack at Putahi Pa in January 1866.Austin carried McDonnell through the artillery fire and off the filed to safety. He was congratulated by General Chute for his bravery not only in this instance, but in all other engagements during the campaign on the West Coast. Austin also saved McDonnell's brother, Captain William McDonnell, from a Maori ambush in October 1866. He was a member of the Wananui Volunteer Contingent. He was a former Imperial soldier who served in the first New Zealand Wars (1846-7). He served until his discharge in 1859. He died in Wanganui in 1903.
- Murray Moorhead, The Queen's Heroes: Victoria and New Zealand Crosses.
- Murray Moorhead, The Queen's Heroes: Victoria and New Zealand Crosses.
