Smith, Angus

New Zealand Decorative Distinction. In a General Government Gazette, published on the 6th inst, it is notified that his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to award to Cornet Angus Smith the decorative distinction instituted by Order in Council dated 10th May 1869, for an act of bravery performed by him on the 7th of June 1869, when the party of cavalry under his charge were surprised at Opepo, and 9 men out of 13 were killed. Cornet Smith, though suffering from a desperate wound in his foot, set out with the object of finding the tracks of his commanding officer, and apprising him and the party with him of their danger.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2913, 9 November 1869, Page 2

The Colonial Cross.— The Decorative Distinction, instituted by Order in Council, dated 10th March, 1869, has been awarded to Cornet Angus Smith, of the Bay of Plenty Cavalry Volunteers, for the following act of bravery performed by him —

On the 7th June, 1869, when the party of cavalry in charge of Cornet Smith was surprised at Opepe by Te Kooti's band, and nine men out of thirteen were killed, Cornet Smith, though suffering from a desperate wound in his foot, set out with the object of finding the tracks of his commanding officer, and apprising him and the party with him of their danger, when a less brave or thoughtful man would have proceeded straight to Fort Galatea, which post he would no doubt have reached in forty-eight hours, with comparatively little risk, and with the certainty of getting immediate medical assistance for himself.

On his road Cornet Smith was captured by the rebels, tied up to a tree, and stripped of all his clothing and Crimean medals. He was in this position four days, without food or water, when he managed to release himself, and proceeded to Fort Galatea, which he reached on the 17th June, having been ten days without food or clothing. On account of his wounds he had to go for a considerable distance on his hands and knees, and to risk his life twice by swimming rivers.

Wanganui Herald, Volume III, Issue 702, 11 November 1869, Page 2

A LUCKY LEGATEE,

Mr Angus Smith well-known in the 1st Waikato Regiment has had a fortune of £100,000 left him. He promises to give the whole of the Waikato Militia in Tauranga and Opotiki a treat.

Bay Of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 373, 8 April 1876, Page 3

THE LATE CAPTAIN ANGUS SMITH, N.Z.C.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,— In your issue of Friday last there appears a telegram- relative to the death at Opotiki of Captain Angus Smith, a Crimean veteran. Captain Smith, N.Z.C., was a New Zealand veteran also, and, as I think such a man deserves more than a passing notice I enclose some notes of his services should you feel inclined to publish them. Not long ago the Captain contributed his photo to my collection of old soldiers and I have placed it on view at Mr Avery's for those, interested. —I am, &c, W. F. GORDON.


"Previous to his arrival in New Zealand Colour-Sergeant Angus Smith served in the famous 93rd Highlanders in the Crimea, and held, the Crimean and Turkish medals. During the Maori troubles he joined the Opotiki Volunteer Cavalry as cornet and served during the Hauhau rebellion.

In June 1869, when in charge of a party of 15 men at Opepe they were ambushed by a great number of Te Kootis band, 9 killed and Cornet Smith was severely wounded in the foot. He tried to find the tracks of his commanding officer to inform him and his party what had happened. On his road he was captured by the rebels stripped of his clothing and medals and bound to a tree, and remained there four days without food or water. He managed to release himself, and proceeded to Fort Galatea, which he reached on the 17th, being 10 days without food. He got a drink on the 7th day by crawling, to a stream.

The decoration of the New Zealand Cross was bestowed on him for bravery and endurance, and he was promoted to Capt. and the Imperial Government re-issued the Crimean and Turkish medals to him. He was the beau ideal of an old cavalry officer, and personally was a fine looking man.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 11934, 7 April 1902, Page 3

Captain Angus Smith, a Crimean War and Maori War veteran, who died at Opotiki last week from blood-poisoning won the New Zealand Cross for bravery and endurance under the following circumstances :—A party of the Bay of Plenty Cavalry under his command was surprised at Opepo by To Kooti's band and nine out of thirteen Europeans wore killed. Although suffering agonies from a wound on the foot Smith set out to warn his commanding officer of the enemy's presence.

On his journey he was captured by the rebels, stripped of all his clothing, firmly bound to a tree, and left to his fate. He was in this position for four days, without either food or water, when he managed to release himself and proceed to Fort Galatea.

Fourteen days in all he was without food or clothing, and on account of the wound on his foot he was obliged to crawl for a considerable distance on his hands and knees, and further had to risk his life twice by swimming the rivers.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7271, 16 April 1902, Page 2