Lot 919

Description

New Zealand War Medal - undated, Leut G.D. Pitt - Commissariat. Impressed. Slight surface marks and slight edge knocks otherwise very fine.

In 1859 the recipient raised, organized and trained the Victorian Volunteer Force, and for these services he was thanked by H.M. Government. In 1863 he was commissioned by the Colonial Government to raise local Corps to aid the troops, and in a very short space of time he succeeded in mustering upward of 2000 men. He was subsequently raised to an unattached Majority. In December 1863 he was appointed Assistant Military Secretary to Sir Duncan Cameron, and subsequently served in the Waikato Campaign, including the attacks on Orakau and the Gate Pah. He was next involved on the Wanganui Campaign, 1864-5, and fought in the actions of Nukumaru and Kakaramia (Brevet of Colonel; despatches). On the departure of Sir Duncan Cameron he was appointed Assistant Military Secretary to Major-General Chute, and consequently fought throughout the Wanganui and Taranaki Campaigns of 1865 and 1866, including the actions at Okotuku, Putaki, Otapawa and Waikato, and the march through Taranaki Forest (C.B.; despatches; medal).