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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 77

New Zealand 1845-66, undated reverse (578. Pte. G. Skinner. 68th Foot.), very fine

George Skinner was born at Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire in 1838 and served with the 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) for some 21 years and nine months. He served for two years and 210 days in New Zealand: the unit had been stationed at Fermoy, Ireland and were called out upon the request of the Governor of New Zealand, Sir George Grey. Having swapped their red tunics for blue, this unit shared in the Tauranga campaign which began in April 1864. It was initiated when the Maori of Te Ranga returned from the interior after assisting the Waikato and began to reoccupy pa sites in the area, including two on the neck of a peninsula housing the Te Papa mission in Tauranga Harbour. The 68th were concentrated in Auckland and sent to reinforce Tauranga, accompanied by detachments from other regiments, arriving on 21 April. They thence shared in the main engagement for the Battle of Gate Pa. Rifle pits were discovered to have been formed across a ridge some three miles from Te Papa. The rifle pits were taken at a cost to the 68th of five killed and 24 wounded, in which action Sergeant Murray was to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

Skinner went on to see some six years 301 days in the East Indies and was discharged in May 1879.

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Sold for
£450

Starting price
£210