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Drummer |
Drummer
Stagpoole was born at Killunan, County Galway, Ireland, in 1838 and was
approximately 25 years old, and a Drummer in the 57th Regiment (later The
Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own)), British Army, during the
Waikato-Hauhau Maori War, New Zealand, when the action for which he was
awarded The Victoria Cross took place.
"On 2 October 1863 at Poutoko, New Zealand, Drummer Stagpoole volunteered to go with an ensign (John Thornton Down) to rescue a wounded comrade from the rebel natives. They succeeded in bringing in this wounded man who was lying about 50 yards from the bush, although the enemy kept up a very heavy fire at short range and from fallen logs close at hand."
Drummer Stagpoole was also awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for separate actions on the same day. He is the only member of the British Armed Forces to ever earn both awards on the same day.
He died at Ware, Hertfordshire, England, on 1 August 1911, and is buried at the Hendon Park Cemetery, Ware, Hertfordshire, England.
His Victoria Cross is held at the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment & Queen's Regiment RHQ, Canterbury, England.
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