An Important Collection of Medals for the Maori Wars, 1845-1866

Pair: Able Seaman Nicholas Johnson, Royal Navy, who was severely wounded during the First Maori war in the attack on Kawiti’s Pah in January 1846

China 1842 (Nicholas Johnson, H.M.S. Blenheim); New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1845 to 1846 (N. Johnson, A.B. H.M.S. Castor) officially impressed naming, light contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise better than very fine (2) £1400-1800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An Important Collection of Medals for the Maori Wars, 1845-1866.

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Collection

Ex Douglas-Morris Collection, DNW October 1996.

430 First China War medals were issued to H.M.S. Blenheim.

Nicholas Johnson's medal for the First New Zealand War was issued on 25 November 1870. 69 medals (4 to R.N. officers, 56 to R.N. ratings, 2 to R.M. officers, and 7 to R.M. N.C.Os. and men) were issued to H.M.S. Castor of which 35 are known, including one with the reverse undated and the rest with reverses dated 1845-1846. Seven recipients of this medal also received the medal for China 1842.

The despatches detailing the attack made on Kawiti's Pah at Ruapekapeka on 10th and 11th January 1846, includes only the number of men killed and wounded - not their names. The Captain's Log for Castor (ADM 53/2218) supplies the missing information. On 12 January, whilst moored in the Kawakawa, Castor’s pinnace, barge and cutter were despatched to Puketootoo's Pah to bring off those killed and wounded in the Action. The names of the seven seamen killed and the ten seamen and two marines wounded are recorded in the Ship's Log. Of the twelve men wounded, only two seamen - Nicholas Johnson and John James - applied for the New Zealand Medal 23 years later when it was authorised.

A few months after this successful assault on the “Bat's Nest”, a Medical Board was convened aboard Castor on 14 May which formally 'Invalided' six seamen and two marines. In one instance only was the statement 'Invalided' enlarged upon; Nicholas Johnson was to be discharged home due to the loss of his right leg. It might be reasonable to assume that this amputation was due to a severe wound he had received at the Action of 10/11 January.

All these 'Invalided' men - which did not include John James - were placed on the supernumerary list to remain '… victualled in the Sick Mess…' whilst awaiting a passage to England. On 4 July 1846 as Castor lay in Sydney harbour, Nicholas Johnson was amongst the 'Draft' of healthy and sick men who were placed on board a Freight Ship - unhappily named Posthumous - for his passage home.