A Collection of New Zealand War Medals

New Zealand 1845-66, reverse undated (G. Ball, 1st Waikato Regt.) engraved naming, good fine £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of New Zealand War Medals.

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George Ball was born in the Parish of All Saints, Northampton, on 7 January 1830. He emigrated to Australia in 1848, where he joined the Victoria Police at Melbourne in 1849. He died on 31 October 1902, at Opotiki, aged 73, and is buried at East Cape, Poverty Bay, Opotiki. A contemporary report of his death states:

‘Mr George Ball, an old and respected settler of Opotiki, died a few days ago, aged 73. He was, when a young man, in the London police force, his father being a superintendent. He came to Melbourne about 1849, and joined the police there. When volunteers were called for to do active duty against the Maoris in 1863 under Colonel Pitt he was among the first to join, and served in the First Waikato Militia. He came to Opotiki with his contingent immediately after the Rev. Volkner's murder in 1865, and did military service there, taking an active part in every engagement and expedition.’

Sold with detailed research, including images of Ball and his wife.