Frederick Augustus Smith

He stormed rifle pits while wounded and led his men forward.

Frederick Augustus Smith was born in Dublin on 18 November 1826. Commissioned into the Royal Scots in 1849, he served in the Crimea at Alma, Inkermann and the siege of Sevastopol. He transferred to the 43rd Light Infantry before his New Zealand service.

At Te Ranga near Tauranga on 21 June 1864, Smith led his company against the Maori defences. Although wounded, he entered the rifle pits and fought at close quarters, setting an example that helped carry the position. The action earned him the Victoria Cross, gazetted that November.

He subsequently became a major and retired in 1878 with the honorary rank of colonel. Returning to Ireland, he lived at Beabeg near Duleek, County Meath. Smith died on 22 July 1887 and was buried in the family plot at Duleek.

Victoria Cross citation

For his distinguished conduct during the engagement at Tauranga, on the 21st of June. He is stated to have led on his Company in the most gallant manner at the attack on the Maories’ position, and, although wounded previously to reaching the Rifle Pits, to have jumped down into them, where he commenced a hand to hand encounter with the Enemy, thereby giving his men great encouragement, and setting them a fine example.