Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

New Zealand 1845-66, reverse undated (1049 Mattw. Slattery, 58th Foot) officially impressed naming, very fine £400-450

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Kuriheka Collection of British Medals.

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Matthew Slattery was born in the Parish of Golden, county Tipperary, and enlisted for the 58th Regiment at Cashel on 20 February 1839, at the age of 14 years and 6 months. He served in the Australian Colonies from 30 September 1844, and was present with the 58th Regiment in New Zealand at the taking and destruction of Pomare’s Pa on 30th April 1845, the attack on Heke’s Pa, destruction of the Waikiri Pa, the storming of Kawiti’s Pa, and the capture and destruction of Ruapekapeka on 11th January 1846, at which last action he served in the rank of Sergeant. He was promoted to Corporal in December 1847, to Sergeant in October 1848, and to Quarter-Master Sergeant in September 1853.

The following year Colonel Wynyard, C.B., Commanding the 58th, submitted a testimony in favour of Slattery as a ‘candidate for the reward extended to Sergeants for distinguished and meritorious service’, adding that ‘he has served under my immediate Command and has been under my observation for many years, his character has been irreproachable, and his conduct in the Field deserving of my highest commendation, and when before Ruapekapeka in 1846 elicited my special notice.’

This testimonial, and others from the Adjutant and the Quartermaster, led to Slattery being commissioned as Quartermaster of the 58th Regiment on 23 July 1858, consequent to the retirement of Quartermaster Moir. He transferred as Quartermaster to the 5th Depot Battalion at Parkhurst in 1860, and, in the same rank, to the 38th Regiment in 1862. In 1873 he transferred as Quartermaster to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), with whom he served until placed on half pay with honorary rank of Captain in May 1878.