William Temple (VC)

He crossed a fire-swept entrance to rescue the stricken men.

William Temple was born at Monaghan, Ireland, on 7 November 1833, the son of a doctor. He was educated locally and at Trinity College Dublin before qualifying for medical practice. Entering the army in November 1858, he became an assistant surgeon and was attached to the Royal Artillery early the following year.

His posting took him to New Zealand in November 1860. He served during the Taranaki fighting and later accompanied British troops in the invasion of Waikato. In Auckland in October 1862 he married Anne Theodosia Mould, daughter of the Royal Engineers' commanding officer. Their family eventually included three sons and five daughters.

On 20 November 1863 British forces attacked the Māori defences at Rangiriri. The outer works fell, but the central earthwork continued to resist repeated assaults. Men trying to pass its entrance were exposed to concentrated fire. Captain Henry Mercer of the Royal Artillery was among the seriously wounded, having been struck through the mouth.

Temple went forward to assist the casualties. Working with Lieutenant Arthur Frederick Pickard, he crossed the dangerous entrance and helped provide treatment and water. Mercer could not ultimately be saved, but the officers continued helping the wounded despite the exposure involved. Their joint Victoria Cross citation commends their action "with a view to render assistance to the wounded" and especially to Mercer (citation transcription: https://friendsofhighlandroadcemetery.org.uk/vc/temple.htm). The award acknowledged medical assistance delivered under direct fire during an unsuccessful assault on the inner position.

Temple remained in military medicine after returning from New Zealand. He became a surgeon in the Army Medical Department in 1868 and subsequently a surgeon-major. A Portsmouth appointment placed him in charge of the station hospital at Portsea. His family lived at Moray House in Southsea, linking the later part of his career to the naval and military community there.

From 1884 to 1889 he served in India as secretary to the surgeon-general of the Indian Army Medical Services. Promoted brigade surgeon in 1885, he also became honorary surgeon to the viceroy. He retired on 1 November 1889 with the rank of lieutenant-colonel and returned to England.

His wife died in 1914. Temple survived her until 13 February 1919, when he died at Tunbridge Wells. He was buried beside her in Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea, five days later. His surviving portrait shows the Victoria Cross and New Zealand campaign medal together.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For gallant conduct during the assault on the enemy’s position at Rangiriri, in New Zealand, on the 20th of November last, in exposing their lives to imminent danger, in crossing the entrance of the Maori keep, at a point upon which the enemy had concentrated their fire, with a view to render assistance to the wounded, and, more especially to the late Captain Mercer, of the Royal Artillery. Lieutenant Pickard, it is stated, crossed, and recrossed the parapet, to procure water for the wounded, when none of the men could be induced to perform this service, the space over which he traversed being exposed to a cross-fire; and testimony is borne to the calmness displayed by him, and Assistant-Surgeon Temple, under the trying circumstances in which they were placed.

The London Gazette of 23 September 1864, Numb. 22896, p. 4552