Dudley Stagpoole
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dudley Stagpoole (VC, DCM) (1838- August 1, 1911), born in Killunan, County Galway he was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Contents |
[edit] Details
He was about 25 years old, and a Drummer in the 57th Regiment of Foot (later The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own)), British Army during the New Zealand Land Wars when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 2 October 1863 at Allan's Hill near Poutoko in Taranaki, New Zealand, Drummer Stagpoole volunteered to go with an ensign (John Thornton Down) to rescue a wounded comrade from the Maori resistance. They succeeded in bringing in this wounded man who was lying about 50 yards from the bush, although the enemy kept up a very heavy fire at short range and from fallen logs close at hand.
He was also awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for separate actions in the same week. He won this medal on 25 September 1863 at Kaipakopako (near Poutoko) for twice volunteering and rescuing wounded men though he was himself wounded in the head.
[edit] Further information
He died Ware, Hertfordshire, 1 August 1911.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment (Queens and Royal Hampshires) (Dover Castle, England).
[edit] References
Listed in order of publication year
- The New Zealand Wars and the pioneering period vol.1 page 227, James Cowan NZ Government Print reprinted 1883
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
- The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
- Irelands VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
