The New Zealand Medal issued to Thomas Robinson Woolfield of the Auckland Cavalry Volunteers who served in defence of settler families in the Auckland Waikato districts from 1863 and at the Battle of Paterangi in February 1864. He later served with the Thames Rifle Volunteers in 1869-70.

 

Thomas Woolfield was born in Glasgow, Scotland on 24th December 1838. Son of Samuel and Ellen Woolfield (née Bennett). He came to New Zealand in June 1861 on the Africa. He enlisted in the Royal Cavaly Volunteers (1 (Otahuhu) Troop)  in July 1863. His service was outline and corroborated in a subsequent land claim:

 

In 1908 William Massey, the Minister for Internal Affairs and future Prime Minister, endorsed his claim. He wrote to the Minister of Lands, “while at the front [Woolfield] was entrusted on several occasions with the carrying of the money for payment of the troops for long distances through dense bush and over rough country. … He provided his own horse and equipment, and I believe I am right in saying that he received no payment whatever.”

Sub-Inspector Charles J. Wilson of the Colonial Defence Force stated in a supporting letter, “It was, I think, early in July 1863 that you joined the Royal Volunteer Cavalry at Otahuhu. I was at that time a trooper in the same force. The men of this force found their own horses, saddles and equipment. The Government found arms, but ammunition was charged against the men. We received no pay or any kind of allowance whatsoever.

“When Cameron broke up his camp at Otahuhu [in July 1863] and marched to the Waikato, Auckland and the surrounding country was left by him unprotected and the Maoris commenced to butcher the
defenceless farmers, 14 of whom were hilled by them. The R.V.C. were called upon by the Hon. Dillon Bell, Native Minister, to protect the settlers on their homesteads, and it became our duty to patrol the country at night.

“On July 17th, Colonel Nixon with 60 men of the R.V.C. captured the chief Ihaka at Kirikiri, near Papakura, and with him 18 other prisoners, 12 stand of arms and a flag. When on 26th of October, Mr Trust’s children were killed by the Maoris at Kennedy’s Farm, you
[Woolfield] with others of the Volunteer Cavalry were detailed for the protection of that post. Also in October you were in my detachment at Papatoitoi (I at that time being a sub-inspector in the Colonial
Defence Force cavalry). Our duty at this post was to furnish night patrols. In December [1863], you with others of the R.V.C. volunteerily joined and were attached to the Col. Def. Force for service at the front, and you were present at the operations before the Maori pas at Pikopiko and Paterangi in the Waikato.”

Trooper Thomas McInness wrote in a letter to Wilson in support of Woolfield’s claim, “I remember Woolfield very well. He was with us at Paterangi. I was on escort duty with him taking money from
Ngaruawahia to Watawata [Whatawhata, or Te Rore] for the Treasury in company with Innes of that department. He [Woolfield] was also at Paterangi. He joined us at the place where the Avon steamer was
sunk [on the Waipa River], a party being sent down to that place under your command, and all our men returned home from there.”

Woolfield wrote in his application, “I did go with him [Innes] from Ngaruawahia through the Maori country without any guide or escort having to swim our horses over the river with the heavy bags of coin
the pay for the Imperial troops who were camped with General Cameron who on arrival welcomed us. Acted as General’s [Cameron] orderly on several occasions. Went up with the pay of the regular troops with Deputy Com.[missionary] General Innes to the General’s camp right through the rebel country.

 

Woolfield farmed at Papatoetoe (Papatoitoi). He became a major shareholder (250 shares, £2.5.0 each) in Golden Bar Goldmining Co. situated in the Thames goldfield in 1869. He had “best bull” at the 1879 Auckland A&P Show. Woolfield was later forced to auction his farm on 14 October 1891 by order of the Supreme Court. The
“Balquhain” property was situated in the Parish of Manuwera, consisting of 112 acres, a dwelling of 14 rooms, stables, barn, implement house and granary.

 

Woolfield's medal claim was admitted in 1871 with the medal being issued in September 1872. The medal is correctly engraved T. WOOLFIELD. AUCKLAND C.V.

 

According to the late Richard Stowers this is the only extant medal named to the Auckland Cavalry Volunteers, although it is possible others were issued. NZ Medals to colonial cavalry units are scarce and highly collected.