Samuel Austin NZC

b. 1829 Ireland.  d. 25/01/1903 Wanganui, New Zealand.

DATE OF NZC ACTION: 07/01 and 17/10/1866 New Zealand.

Samuel Austin NZC

Awarded the New Zealand Cross on 12 September 1873 for bravery at the Battle of Putahi Pa. He joined the British Army and was sent to New Zealand in 1846 with the 65th Regiment. Originally he was involved in fighting in Northland then was granted land in Wanganui and settled down to farming. When further conflict broke out in the 1860s he joined the Wanganui Volunteers, and on 7 January 1866 he saved the life of Maj T McDonnell while under fire. Nine months later he was instrumental in saving McDonnell’s brother in similar circumstances. When the fighting finished he returned to his farm.

BURIAL LOCATION: HEADS ROAD CEMETERY, WANGANUI, NEW ZEALAND.

LOCATION OF MEDAL: AUCKLAND WAR MUSEUM, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND.