Letter, to Adjutant General

This item comes from a collection of letters, covers and other historical material which Te Papa has acquired from Gerald Ellott at various times since 2001. The collection includes items from as early as 1818, but most relate to the New Zealand Wars period (1845-1872) and particularly the 1860s. 

Gerald is one of New Zealand’s foremost postal historians, and for nearly sixty years has been collecting, researching and exhibiting the early postal history of New Zealand. He was invited to sign the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in 1988, is a recipient of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie Research Medal, and was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to philately in the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The New Zealand Wars collection includes letters written by soldiers serving in British regiments in New Zealand, as well as letters from members of colonial militia and volunteer units. The content and context of the letters provide a wealth of historical, social and military information about this period. The postal markings on the letters and envelopes are also informative, allowing us to track the movement of British troops and the opening up of post offices in their wake.

Many items in the collection are mounted and annotated on archival pages. Gerald wrote the annotations for the purposes of display and storytelling. They reflect his views and the language of the time, and Te Papa has not reviewed them for accuracy.

Transcript:

[Cover]

[Manuscript inscription: “Via Southampton” on left hand side of letter

On Her Majesty’s Service.

The Adjutant General. [“Col Dep Adjt Genl” written in pencil to the right hand side of address]
H.M’s Forces,
War Office,
London,

England.

(17/8/64.)

[Reverse of cover]

[Postmark: “AUCKLAND / 17 AUG / [?] / [?]LAND”]

[Remnants of red wax seal]

[Letter]

[Postmark: “RECEIVED / NOV 22 / 1864. / ADJUTANT GENERAL”]

[Manuscript inscription in blue ink: “MO’]

[Ripped paper affects legibility of inscription written vertically along left hand side of letter: “<?> [?] no 1830/ 27 June 65
Medal 16 Augt/65”]

Camp Alexandra
Waipa, New Zealand
August 17^th 1864

Sir,
I have the honor to request that you will be kind enough to forward the enclosed letter & certificate to the proper quarter, as I am informed by messrs Grindlay & Co, the Army Agents, to communicate with you direct.
I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your most obedt. Srvat.
Wm. Cowl
late Dispenser of medical [?] Hospital [Surgeon/Sergeant?]
2^nd Regt. Waikato Militia

The Adjutant General
Queen’s Forces,
War Office,
London