Disgraced Hero’s Victoria Cross To Be Auctioned (Press, 24 January 1972)

A significant Victorian scandal that extended to New Zealand will resurface following the auction of a 115-year-old Victoria Cross at Sotheby’s in London this week. This decoration belonged to Midshipman Edward St John Daniel, a naval officer who initially gained fame as a national hero after his acts of bravery during the Crimean War. Born in Somerset in 1837, Daniel received the Victoria Cross at the young age of 19 for his valour while serving with the Naval Brigade from 1854 to 1856. After his service in the Crimea, he participated in the Indian Mutiny of 1857, earning further commendation. In 1860, following a series of personal failings, Daniel's reputation took a drastic turn for the worse. He was reprimanded for being absent without leave on two occasions and was subsequently court-martialled for drunkenness while on duty. This led to his dismissal from his ship and a demotion in the promotion rankings. The situation deteriorated further when Daniel faced charges related to a homosexual offence involving four subordinates while serving on H.M.S. Victor Emmanuel in 1861. Awaiting court-martial and under open arrest, he mysteriously disappeared after jumping ship in Corfu. It is speculated that naval authorities may have facilitated his escape to shield the Navy from embarrassment, resulting in his name being struck off the Victoria Cross register by Royal Warrant, a rare action taken only eight times. By 1863, Daniel resurfaced in Australia, where he enlisted in the New Zealand military on January 18, 1864, while the Colonial Government sought recruits for the Maori War. Under the pretense of being a “baker,” he arrived in New Plymouth on February 15, 1864. During his service with the Taranaki Military Settlers, he participated in various engagements in Taranaki over three years but faced disciplinary issues, accumulating a record of 20 days’ detention for drunkenness. Upon the disbandment of the Taranaki Military Settlers in May 1867, Daniel sold his land grant and joined the New Zealand Armed Constabulary on November 26, 1867. In March 1868, he was part of a 60-man detachment sent to maintain order in the West Coast diggings, which were fraught with tensions involving the militant Fenians. Unfortunately, Edward St John Daniel died on May 20, 1868, with the record attributing his death to alcoholism in Hokitika, leaving behind a complicated legacy marked by early heroism and later disgrace. The history and trajectory of Daniel's life have captured interest, especially with the upcoming auction of his Victoria Cross, now a poignant symbol of his tumultuous past.

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