b. 1843 Nelson, New Zealand. d. 24/05/1897 Marlborough, New Zealand.
DATE OF NZC ACTION: 08/02/1870 Ohinemutu, New Zealand.
Arthur W Carkeek NZC
He was born in Nelson in 1843, a son of Stephen Carkeek, and brother of Frances Ann Stewart (née Carkeek). He was a Sergeant in the Armed Constabulary at Ohinemutu during the Te Kooti’s War episode of the New Zealand Wars. On 7 February 1870 the force of Arawas under Captain Mair at Ohinemutu was attacked by Te Kooti and his force. Thomas McDonnell needed to be told of the location of Te Kooti and his force, but Carkeek could not find a Mori willing to go thirty miles through the bush to McDonnell at Tapapa. He decided to go himself, and a Mori agreed to accompany him. They started at daylight on the 8th, and arrived at Tapapa about 3 pm, after traversing dense bush where they were likely to be surprised by the enemy.
He was an engineer and land surveyor based in Otaki. He married Eydthe Muller, the second daughter of Stephen Lunn Muller, at Blenheim on 2 December 1873; they had a son and daughter.
He died on 24 May 1897 in Wairau Hospital, Blenheim, aged 54 years.
BURIAL LOCATION: OMAKA CEMETERY, BLENHEIM, NEW ZEALAND.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: MUSEUM OF NEW ZEALAND, WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND.
