Soldier laid to rest 158 years after his death
A former soldier who died after getting a gunshot wound to the eyebrow 158 years ago has been laid to rest.
Major Walter Vernon Herford was 35 years old when he died from an injury sustained on April 1, 1864, in the Battle of Ō rā kau during the New Zealand Land Wars.
A gravesite ceremony was held in Auckland’s Holy Trinity Memorial Park on February 11.
A private collector had placed some of Herford’s remains in the care of Te Awamutu Museum in 2018, prompting four years of work to trace his history and find descendants.
Herford served in the 3rd Waikato Militia during the war as a captain and was later made a major for his involvement and leadership at the battle.
Parts of the soldier’s skull, as well as the fragmented bullet responsible for his lifethreatening injuries, were removed during an operation months after his injury and placed in a keepsake box.
‘‘The small but significant box was labelled with Herford’s name, rank and cause of death, as well as details of the surgery,’’ Te Awamutu Museum collections manager Megan Denz said.
‘‘The box containing fragments of Herford was then taken from New Zealand to a variety of sites in the United Kingdom before being brought back to New Zealand in 2018.’’
Finally, there was a small ceremony on Friday February 11 2022, 158 years after his death, in which the fragmented remains were interred with museum staff and members of his extended family in attendance.
Denz said through genealogical research by the museum, Herford’s descendants were found in the United Kingdom, USA, and New Zealand.
‘‘The museum was able to use the information on the box to track down his extended family, some of whom are five generations removed from his lifetime.’’
Descendent Annabel Neal, with husband Vince, attended the service. Herford was the son of Neal’s great-great-grandfather’s half-brother.
‘‘We knew nothing about it until the remote cousin in England who is a direct descendant contacted us and asked if we could help,’’ Neal said.
Herford has also been mentioned in Thomas Gudgeon’s book Reminiscences of the Land
Wars in New Zealand as being a hero from the battle of Ō rā kau, Neal said.
‘‘We’re proud of him and the family is pleased to have some closure that the little box of remains will go back into the grave, which from our point of view is very important.’’