Royal New Zealand Fencible Corps (1847-1854)

Times were tough in Ireland in 1847 and when notices were distributed around all military barracks that a new body of ex-soldiers. to be known as the Royal New Zealand Fencible Corps, was to be raised to defend the new capital of New Zealand, Auckland, against the native tribes from Waikato and the Coromandel, many Irishmen flocked to join it.   Indeed of the final Corps of 780 soldiers, 63% were Irish, eleven coming from the 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot and one from the 6th(Inniskilling) Dragoons. 

Article reproduced by permission from author, Robin Hogg