William Odgers

William Odgers VC (14 February 1834 – 20 December 1873) was a British recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details
Odgers was 26 years old, and a leading seaman in the Royal Navy during the Taranaki Maori War, New Zealand when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 28 March 1860 at Omata, New Zealand, Leading Seaman Odgers of HMS Niger displayed conspicuous gallantry when a party of officers, sailors and marines from the ship stormed Kaipopo Pa during operations against Maori insurgents. His citation read: "On the 28th of March, 1860, William Odgers displayed conspicuous gallantry at the Storming of a Pah during operations against Rebel Natives in New Zealand; having been the first to enter it under a heavy fire, and having assisted in hauling down the enemy's colours."

A few days later, HMS Niger bombarded two coastal pa at Warea, about 40 kilometres south of New Plymouth, where the defeated Maori force had regrouped, with cannon and rockets.

Controversially this action was labelled a 'fictional triumph' and a myth by New Zealand revisionist historian James Belich. However military historian Nigel Prickett asserts the action was a catastrophic defeat for southern insurgents who lost their overall chiefs and most of their lesser chiefs at Kaipopo Pa.

This was the first VC won in New Zealand. He later achieved the rank of quartermaster, and was in the Coast Guard Service. William Odgers was born in Falmouth, Cornwall, and died in Saltash, Cornwall.

His medal is displayed at Sheesh Mahal Museum, Patiala, India.