Victoria Cross: J. T. Down and D. Stagpoole

JOHN THORNTON DOWN

Ensign, 57th Regiment

Born: 2 March 1842, Fulham, London
Died: 27 April 1866, Otahuhu, New Zealand


DUDLEY STAGPOOLE

Drummer, 57th Regiment

Born: 1838, Killunan, County Galway, Ireland
Died: 1 August 1911, Ware, Hertfordshire

Joint Citation: For their conduct at Pontoko, on the 2nd October [1863], in rescuing a wounded comrade from the rebel Maories.
They succeeded in bringing in the wounded man, who was lying at about fifty yards from the bush, although the enemy kept up a very heavy fire from the bush at short range, and also from behind fallen logs close at hand.
The man had been wounded during an engagement with the rebel natives, and Ensign Down, and Drummer Stagpoole, responded to the call of the Officer commanding the detachment of the Regiment for volunteers to bring him in.
The Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field has already been conferred on Drummer Stagpoole, for the energy and devotion which he displayed on the 25th September, 1863, at the affair near Kaipakopako, in having, though wounded in the head, twice volunteered and brought in wounded men.

[London Gazette issue 22896, dated 22 Sep 1864, published 23 Sep 1864.]