The Royal New Zealand Fencible Corps was formed in 1846,following the conclusion of the northern war against Hone Heke. The Governor, George Grey, had requested military forces for the defence of the early settlers in New Zealand, instead of supplying regular military forces the English Parliament approved the creation of the Corps.[1]
The conditions for enlistment were being under 48 years of age and with a minimum of 15 years of military service. These conditions were posted at regiments throughout the British Isles.
Pay was 6 pence to 1 shilling and 3 pence a day in addition to their pension. The Commandant (Major Kenny) was paid £300; each officer was given a house and 50 acres (200,000 m2) of land[2] The pensioners were to be provided with a prefabricated fencibles cottage of 2 rooms on an acre of land. One of the few remaining cottages, albeit in an altered form, is on its original site at 34 Abercrombie St, Howick. This cottage was built with the help of Maori labour for Henry and Elizabeth Rowe and their surviving 3 children in 1848,after they arrived in the Sir George Seymour in November 1847 . After 7 years the cottage and land would become their own property in exchange for attending military exercises 12 days a year.
10 ships brought 721 pensioners and their families totalling over 2500 people between the years 1847 and 1852.The average age of the men was about 40. They settled in the Auckland suburbs of Howick, Onehunga, Otahuhu and Panmure.[3] . At Howick a redoubt was built on a prominent hill at the North end of the village's main street. The position, with its associated earth works, is still there.