Orders, Decorations and Medals

The mounted group of three dress miniatures attributed to Colonel A. F. Pickard, V.C., Royal Artillery

Victoria Cross; Order of the Bath, Civil Division, gold, with gold buckle on ribbon; New Zealand 1845-66, undated, this last with edge bruising and worn, mounted for wear on old ribbons, in a glazed mahogany display case, good very fine except where stated (3) £500-700

V.C. London Gazette 22 September 1864. ‘For gallant conduct during the assult on the enemy’s postition at Rangiriri in New Zealand on 20 Novemeber last, in exposing their lives to imminent danger, in crossing the entrance of 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 and recrossed the parapet to procure water for the wounded when none of the men could be be induced to preform this service, the space over which he traversed being exposed to a cross-fire and testimony is bourne to the coolness displayed by him and Assistant-Surgeon Temple under the trying circumstances to which they were placed’.

Colonel Arthur Frederick Pickard was born in 1841 in Forest Hill, Northamptonshire. Serving in the Maori War, Lieutenant Pickard and Assistant-Surgeon William Temple were each awarded the Victoria Cross for their actions on 20 November 1863. Attaining the rank of Colonel, he served as Equerry to H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, and later, as Equerry to H.M. Queen Victoria. He died of consumption at Cannes on 1 March 1880.

With a copied photograph of the recipient in the display case, in uniform and wearing medals.