William Temple was born at Monaghan, Ireland on 7th November 1833
The Son of Doctor William Temple of the Terrace Monaghan and Mother Anne the Daughter of Hugh Hamill of Roosky, Ireland.
William was educated privately at the Reverend John Bleckleys school, Monaghan
and later at Trinity College Dublin.
After qualifying, William entered the Army on 1st November 1858, as an Assistant Surgeon on the staff and on 11th January 1859 was appointed Assistant Surgeon Artillery.
In November 1860 he accompanied his Regiment to New Zealand and soon after served in the Taranaki Campaign of 1860-61 and saw action at Teairci, Rangiriri and Rangiawhia. In October 1863 Temple found himself as part of the force engaging the Maoris on the right bank of the Waikato River at Rangiriri, south of Auckland on the north Island.
The Maoris offered strong resistance and erected a strong and formidable earthwork, this earthwork was bombarded by gun boats from the river and field guns of the Royal Artillery and then finally assaulted on 20th November.
The outer works were taken but the inner redoubt resisted the British assault.
Temple had gone forward to treat the wounds of a Gunner who informed him that Captain Mercer of the Royal artillery was also wounded and had in fact been shot through the jaw and tongue. Temple observed Mercer crawling towards the gate of the earthworks, every man who attempted to cross this gate was wounded.
Along with Lt Arthur Frederick Pickford, Royal Artillery, Temple rendered assistance to the wounded, including Mercer, by dressing their wounds and providing water.
The following information was kindly donated by - Tim Backhouse & Brad Smith
MILITARY CAREER
1st November 1858 Assistant Surgeon
11th January 1859 Transferred to Royal Artillery as an Assistant Surgeon
20th November 1860 -19th April 1866 Served in New Zealand, Taranaki Campaign and saw action at
Teairei, Rangiriri, Rangiawhia
26th June 1867 To Staff
1st November 1868 Surgeon, Army Medical Department
1st March 1873 Surgeon
18th October 1873 Surgeon Major stationed in Portsmouth and in charge of the Station
Hospital, Portsea
26th June 1877 Staff Surgeon
1884-1889 Served in India, Lieutenant-Colonel and as Secretary to Surgeon- General of the Indian Army Medical Services
10th April 1885 Brigade Surgeon
1886-1889 Honorary Surgeon to His Excellency the Viceroy of India, in recognition of his services to India
Retired:- 1st November 1889 as Brigade Surgeon, Lieutenant-Colonel VC BA MB LRCSI
Died:- Tunbridge Wells. 13th February 1919
Buried:- 18th February 1919
Highland Road Cemetery, Eastney, Southsea, Hants
A. North Wall, Row 12,Grave 31
Married:- 21st October 1862 to Anne Theodosia @ St Paul's Church, Auckland, New Zealand
Anne was the 4th daughter of Colonel [Later Major-General] T.R. Mould CB RE
Commanding Royal Engineers in NZ()
Anne was born in 1838 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales
They had eight children, 3 boys and 5 girls
Anne Died 9th January 1914 aged 70:- She died at 7 South Parade, Southsea
and was buried 13th January 1914:-
Buried in Highland Road Cemetery Portsmouth
