William Odgers

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William Odgers VC (February 14, 1834 - December 20, 1873) was an English 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.

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He was 26 years old, and a Leading Seaman in the Royal Navy during the Taranaki Maori War, New Zealand when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 28 March 1860 at Omata (locally known as Waireka), New Zealand, Leading Seaman Odgers of HMS Niger displayed conspicuous gallantry when a party of officers, sailors and marines from the ship stormed Kaipopo Pa during operations against rebel natives. He was the first to enter the pa under heavy fire, and assisted in hauling down the enemy's colours.

Controversially this action was labelled a 'fictional triumph' and a myth by James Belich in The New Zealand Wars: (1986, Penguin Books, Auckland). However, Nigel Prickett in Maori Casualties of the First Taranaki War, 1860-1861 (2005, Auckland Museum) demonstrates the action was a catastrophic defeat for southern insurgents who lost their overall chiefs and most of their lesser chiefs at Kaipopo Pa.

A few days later, HMS Niger bombarded two coastal pa at Warea, about 40 kilometres south of New Plymouth, where the defeated Maori force had regrouped, with cannon and rockets.

This was the first VC won in New Zealand. He later achieved the rank of Quartermaster, and was in the Coast Guard Service.

William Odgers was born in Falmouth, Cornwall, and died in Saltash, Cornwall.

His medal is displayed at Sheesh Mahal Museum, Patiala, India.