User:Sladew/Company of Forest Rangers
| Forest Ranger Volunteers (Forest Rangers) | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1863–1867 |
| Country | New Zealand, United Kingdom |
| Allegiance | New Zealand, United Kingdom |
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Size | Two Companies ~100 |
| Garrison/HQ | Auckland |
The No. 1 Company of Forest Rangers (known as Jackson's Forest Rangers) was raised in Papakura, New Zealand in August 1863, commanded by Lieutenant (later Major) William Jackson. A second company, Von Tempsky's Forest Rangers, was later formed and commanded by Gustavus von Tempsky. [1][2]
Volunteers for the Forest Rangers were young, self-reliant men from a variety of nationalities and occupations. [2] The Forest Rangers were raised during the middle of the New Zealand land wars at the start of the Waikato War. Rangers formed a specialist 'bush-fighting' corp, an irregular force, to take the war into the New Zealand bush and to fight the Maori on their own terms; engaging in reconnaissance, patrolling and guerrilla warfare.[2][3]
A total of 365 men served as Forest Rangers before the unit was officially disbanded on 30 October 1867 with the passing of the Armed Constabulary Act of 1867.[2] The Forest Rangers fought in 34 major actions. Nine Rangers died, either in action, or as result of their wounds.[3]
Forest Rangers received 84 New Zealand medals. A further 33 medals were issued to ex-Rangers while they served with other units.[3]
History[edit]
The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 10, Issue 11 (February 1, 1936) Famous New Zealanders — No. 35 — Major Jackson and his Forest Rangers. — Veterans of the Old Frontier [4]
Daily Southern Cross advertisement, 1 August 1863[5]
NOTICE. TO MILITIAMEN AND OTHERS. ACTIVE YOUNG MEN, having some experience of New Zealand Forests, may now confer a benefit upon the Colony, and also ensure a compa-ratively free and exciting life for themselves, by JOINING a CORPS of FOREST VOLUNTEERS now being enrolled in this Province, to act as the Taranaki Volunteers have acted, in striking terror into marauding natives, by operations not in the power of ordinary troops. By joining this Corps, the routine of Militia life may be got rid of, and a body of active and pleasant comrades ensured. Only men of good character wanted. For further information, apply at the Office of the Daily Southern Cross, O'Connell-street, Auck-land. July 31, 1863.
Daily pay was initially set at 10 shillings. Later, the daily rate was reduced to four shillings sixpence and rations with the addition of a double ration of rum because of the rough nature of the work.[1]
Funding[edit]
Organisation[edit]
Roles[edit]
Equipment[edit]
- a breech-loading 1860 pattern Calisher and Terry 30 Bore (.539 inches (13.7 mm)) Carbine
- a five-shot revolver
- in Von Tempsky's company, a bowie-knife with a blade 10 inches (250 mm) or 12 inches (300 mm) long [1]
Alliances[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Cowan, James (1955). "Chapter 29: The Forest Rangers". The New Zealand Wars: A History of the Maori Campaigns and the Pioneering Period: Volume I: 1845–1864. pp. 265–272.
- ^ a b c d Stowers, Richard (1996). Forest Rangers : a history of the Forest Rangers during the New Zealand Wars. ISBN 0473035316.
- ^ a b c "Forest Rangers Remembered at Papakura" (PDF). Army News (11): 2. 2010.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Cowan, James (1936). "Famous New Zealanders — No. 35 — Major Jackson and his Forest Rangers. — Veterans of the Old Frontier". The New Zealand Railways Magazine. 10 (410): 17–23.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Page 1 Advertisements Column 6". Daily Southern Cross Newspaper. XIX (1885): 1. 1863.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help)
External links[edit]