THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

STAGPOOLE, Dudley

Drummer, 57th Regiment (later The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own)), British Army

CITATION:

Victoria Cross

(NOTE: This is a joint citation with Ensign DOWN)

War Office, September 22, 1864.

THE Queen has been graciously pleased to signify Her intention to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross on the under-mentioned Officers and

Drummer of Her Majesty's Army, whose claims to the same have been submitted for Her Majesty's approval, on account of Acts of Bravery

performed by them in New Zealand, as stated against their names  For their conduct at Pontoko, on the 2nd October, in rescuing a wounded

comrade from the rebel Maories.

They succeeded in bringing in the wounded man, who was lying at about fifty yards from the bush,.although the enemy kept up a very heavy fire

from the bush at short range, and also from behind fallen logs close at hand.

The man had been wounded during an engagement with the rebel natives, and Ensign Down, and Drummer Stagpoole, responded to the call of the

Officer commanding the detachment of the f Regiment for volunteers to "bring him in.

The Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field has already been conferred on Drummer Stagpoole, for the energy and devotion which he

displayed on the 25th September, 1863, at the affair near Kaipakopako, in having, though wounded in the head, twice volunteered arid brought in

wounded men.

KNOWN AWARDS

Victoria Cross

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Crimea Medal

Sabastopol

New Zealand Wars Medal (dated 1861-66)

Turkish Crimea Meal 1855

Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal

NOTES

Born: 1838, Killunan, County Galway, Ireland

Died: 1 August 1911, Ware, Hertfordshire, England

Buried: Hendon Park Cemetery, Ware, Hertfordshire, England

BIOGRAPHICAL

Dudley was the youngest of three brothers. Of the three only Dudley has a recorded birth date, 1838. He was probably born in the parish of Killannin, County Galway, Ireland.

Dudley became a Drummer in the 57th regiment of the British Army. He enlisted on 15 May 1854 and he was discharged 16 May 1877, aged 39. He was recorded as being five foot ten and one half inches with grey eyes and brown hair.

He fought in Crimea and in New Zealand.  Dudley travelled to New Zealand on the troop carrier Star Queen, arriving in Auckland on 13 January 1861. The troop ship then travelled onto New Plymouth and arrived there on 25 January 1861.

Dudley earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Victoria Cross within the space of seven days during actions in Taranaki in 1863. After service in Taranaki the regiment transferred to Waikato in 1866 before returning to Great Britain.

Unlike his two brothers, Dudley returned to Britain with the regiment. He served a total of twenty one years and two days in the army. His service overseas was Crimea 272 days, Malta for two years and one month, India for two years and 232 days and New Zealand for six years and 192 days.

He married three times, outliving each of his first two wives and tragically his first two sons also. He lived for most of his adult life in the Woolwich area of Greater London. He worked at the Arsenal at Woolwich and as a dockyard messenger.

His Victoria Cross is held at the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment & Queen's Regiment RHQ, Canterbury, England.