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Leading Seaman |
Leading Seaman Odgers was born at Falmouth, England, on 14 February 1834, and was 26 years old, and a Leading Seaman in the Royal Navy, during the Taranaki Maori War, New Zealand, when the action for which he was awarded The Victoria Cross took place.
"On 28 March 1860 at Omata (locally known as Waireka), New Zealand, Leading Seaman Odgers of H.M.S. Niger displayed conspicuous gallantry when a party of officers, sailors and marines from the ship stormed a pass during operations against rebel natives. He was the first to enter the pass under heavy fire, and assisted in hauling down the enemy's colours."
This was the first Victoria Cross won in New Zealand.
Leading Seaman Odgers later achieved the rank of Quartermaster.
He died at Saltash, England, on 20 December 1873, and is buried at St Stephens Churchyard, Saltash, England.
His Victoria Cross is held at the Sheesh Mahal Museum, Patiala, India.
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