George Preece was awarded the New Zealand Cross for his actions during the siege of Ngatapa.
17 Facts About George Preece
1.
2.
The son of a Church Missionary Society worker, Preece was born at Coromandel in New Zealand.
3.
George Augustus Preece was born in c 1845 at Coromandel, New Zealand, to James Preece, a missionary, and his wife Mary Ann.
4.
George Preece was raised at Ahikeruru and became well versed in te reo, the Maori language.
5.
George Preece was attached to a contingent, commanded by Colonel James Fraser, of the Colonial Defence Force as an interpreter and served in this capacity until the end of the war in 1866, at which time he returned to his legal career.
6.
George Preece was later deemed to be a spy and was exiled without a trial to the Chatham Islands along with 200 Pai Marire warriors and their families.
7.
George Preece became their leader and in July 1868 escaped captivity with his followers, landing back in Poverty Bay in July 1868, triggering what was known as Te Kooti's War.
8.
At the start of Te Kooti's War, George Preece assisted in raising a force of volunteers to combat Te Kooti.
9.
The volunteers had to retreat and George Preece formed part of the rearguard that successfully covered the withdrawal.
10.
Ropata and George Preece abandoned the position early the following morning as their men had run out of ammunition.
11.
George Preece was one of the officers in charge of a contingent of kupapa from the Te Arawa iwi.
12.
George Preece was personally commended by McDonnell for his efforts.
13.
George Preece's force, known as Arawa Flying Column No 2, was one of two parties that would be active in the Urewera ranges from 1870 to 1872.
14.
George Preece's force fired the last shots of the New Zealand Wars on 14 February 1872, when they caught sight of Te Kooti and a party of his men and pursued them for a distance up the Waiau Valley.
15.
George Preece subsequently fulfilled similar roles in Napier and Christchurch.
16.
George Preece moved to Palmerston North, where he died on 10 July 1925.
17.
George Preece was survived by his wife and four children.