AN OLD CAMPAIGNER.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1955, 12 January 1914, Page 6

AN OLD CAMPAIGNER.

DEATH OF COLONEL NOAKE. (By Telesrapli.—Press Association.l Auckland, January 10. A veteran who witnessed the- painful scene \during the famine in Ireland in 1847 and 18-18, who was at Tippcrary during the Smith-O'Brien escapade, who assisted to quell the Chartist riots in Yorkshire, who charged with the heavy brigade at Balaclava, served during the. Indian mutiny, and finally did good service during the- Maori war, -died this morning at Epsom. Tho veteran referred to is Colonel Maillard Noake, aged 84 years. When only 1G ho went from a boarding school and joined a cavalry regiment in tho South of Ireland. There lie was witness of the fearful famino and the Smith-O'Brien affair. His next appearanco was in Yorkshire during tho Chartist _ riots, but real servico started when his regiment formed part of tho heavy brigade at the Crimea during tho war with Russia in an unsuccessful defence of the advanced redoubt by tiio Turkish troops. The regiment to 'which Colonel Noake belonged was supporting and he had his horse wounded and his sword and scabhard broken by a bursting shell fired by the Russians. Ho was _ also present with the heavy brigade in the charge that repulsed the Russian attack on Balaclava. The celebrated charge of the Light Brigade'was supported by tho Scots Greys to which Colonel Noako then belonged. Ho had his sword knocked out of his hand, a revolver torn from his side, and a leg smashed in this business, and although he received a medal for distinguished conduct in the field, his wound unfortunately caused him to bo invalided home and discharged: Sonie time afterwards ho was presented with a commission in a militia regiment in Ireland. He was riding master and was then appointed to a military train. A few months later the Indian mutiny broke out and Colonel Noake was sent out -with tho new regiment to Calcutta but was prevented from doing active servico by being stationed in Madras. In 1863 Colonel Noake camo to NeiV Zealand and was appointed captain in the miliatia and transferred to tho Defence Department, Wellington, wliors he did good service in organising. Later he commanded a force in Rangitikei, and at the eloso of tho Waikato war was appointed Resident Magistrate of the Upper Wanganui district. In his official capacity he attached himself to the relief expedition to Pipiriki in 1868. During the war at Wanganui Colonel Noake was appointed adjutant, _ and having oifercd his services ns esco'rt of cavalary to Colonel Whitmoro was at tho disastrous affair at Moturoa. Being given command of tho district. Colonel Noako conducted an oxpedition after tho rebel Natives up the Waitotara River, and later at Wlienunkura and Patea Rivers captured tho Pukekoho tribe and the chief Tauroa, sending in 180 prisoners. He was complimented for this servico by tho Government. Lator Colonel Noake occupied Waahi with a garrison of Ngatiporou, built blockhouses, and was appointed Resident 1 Magistrate. Colonel Noako was subseniiently dispatched to Patea wliph To Whiti's men began ploughing up tho settlers' land, and retained that command until the Maori prophet was taken prisoner. Of late years Colonel Noako lias resided at Epsom.