WALTON was evacuated with other severely injured men by ship from Patea to Wanganui aboard a small steamer named the
Woodpecker. The date of the newspaper report (12 September) shows that WALTON was confused when he stated that he was wounded on 21 August 1868 (the fact that this report was copy-published by another newspaper illustrates an indirect method of finding references to individuals mentioned in newspapers not yet published on Papers Past).
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspastThe Colonist, 6 October, 1868, p.6.
ARRIVAL OF SOME OF THE WOUNDED AT WANGANUI.
The Wanganui Times, of September 12, states:— Last night the p.s. Woodpecker brought down the following men, who were wounded in the engagement at Te Ruaruru (sic), on Monday last: —Thomas WALTON, No. 3 Co., A.C. ; —. HOGAN, No. 3 Co., A.C. ; O'BRIEN, No. 2 Co., A.C.; CALDWELL, Wellington Rangers; GANSEY, Wellington Rifles; HOLLOWAY, HAMBLYN, and FLYNN, Taranaki Volunteers; and Dr. BEST. Immediately on arrival, the poor fellows were conveyed to Mr. WHITLOCK'S store, opposite the Rutland Hotel, which has been fitted up as a temporary hospital for their accommodation. Dr. GIBSON and other officials were in attendance, by whom the wants of the men were promptly attended to, and they were made as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. The remainder of the wounded, meantime, are left at Patea, the little Woodpecker not having sufficient accommodation for the whole number, and will be brought down by the first opportunity. When the steamer left Patea Lieut. ROWAN was still living, but unable to be removed. Why, of the eight casualties on the
Woodpecker, was WALTON named first, and the only one to be named in full? Was it because he was the most dangerously injured?
Timeline 2:c’1863-1866? Served with Taranaki Mounted Volunteers.
c’1866-1868 Served with Armed Constabulary, rank of Mounted Constable.
7 September 1868 Member of No. 3 Company, Armed Constabulary.
7 September 1868 Wounded at Battle of Te Ngutu o te Manu.
11 September 1868 Evacuated from Patea TNK to Wanganui per
Woodpecker.
12 September 1868 Mentioned in the
Wanganui Times as one of those wounded in action at Te Ruaruru [sic] TNK on 7 September 1868.
September 1868 In hospital at Waihi TNK (WALTON wrote 'Waipuia', but Waihi seems more likely).
3 June 1871 Witness to the suicide of Henry MEARS at Blenheim MBH. A labourer.
5 June 1871 A witness at the inquest into the death of Henry MEARS held at Blenheim MBH
28 May 1873 Applied for New Zealand War Medal. Living at Picton MBH
26 November 1873 Acknowledged receipt of his New Zealand War Medal. Living at Picton MBH
This story probably seems to be dragging on, but we're getting to the genealogical meaty bits soon, I promise.
Spades
