MINI BIO

Londoner, Charles Heaphy, was born around 1821 and was one of five children.  Little is known of his upbringing and formal education. His family was prosperous including royal patronage.  Charles left home after his father's death in 1835, for 18 months was employedas a draughtsman.  

In 1837 he entered the Royal Academy before entering service with the New Zealand Company 6 May 1839 as a draughtsman.  Three days later he set sail for NZ, arriving 18 August.  Apr 1840 he was wounded in a skirmish.
From 1845 to 1848, his source of funds was from painting portraits, contract survey work and paid militia service. 
30 Oct 1851 he married Catherine Letitia Churton, they had no children of their own.  Theydid however, take on 2 wards.
While continuing his work as a surveyor, he joined the Auckland Rifle Volunteers, being commissioned lieutenant in Aug 1863.
Charles was an enthusiastic propagandist in favour of the war in Taranaki, and shortly before the Waikato war was involved surveying roads and river channels south of Auckland.
July 1863 he was in charge of 100 troops and 'Military Surveyor and Guide to the Forces'. 
On 11 Feb 1864 Heaphy, under intense fire, went to the aid of a wounded soldier, at Waiari, this led to his becoming the first member of an irregular unit to be awarded the Victoria Cross, 
Leaving the military and entering politics, was returned unopposed as MHR for Parnell in 1865.  A few years later he invested in gold mining.
Later in life was involved in arduous fieldwork, becoming almost crippled with rheumatism. 
He was appointed a judge of the Native Land Court in 1878.  He was commissioner under the New Zealand Native Reserves Act 1856 and Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act 1870.
His health collapsed May 1881, in June, he and his wife sailed for Brisbane, where he died 3 August.

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LONDON GAZETTE

No. 3

8 February 1867

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For his gallant conduct at the skirmish on the banks of the Mangapiko River, in New Zealand, on the 11th of February, 1864, in assisting a wounded soldier of the 40th Regiment, who had fallen into a hollow among the thickest of the concealed Maories. Whilst doing so, he became the target for a volley at a few feet distant. Five balls pierced his clothes and cap, and he was wounded in three places. Although hurt, he continued to aid the wounded until the end of the day. Major Heaphy was at the time in charge of a party of soldiers of the 40th and 50th Regiments, under the orders of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry Marshman Havelock, Bart., V.C., G.C.B, D.L. the Senior Officer on the spot, who had moved rapidly down to the place where the troops were hotly engaged and pressed.