BIDDLE, BENJAMIN (1848-1933) was 20 years of age and had been a seaman when he joined the Armed Constabulary in 1868. He was attached to the force under Whitmore, serving against Te Kooti after the Poverty Bay massacre, and distinguished himself at the second battle of Ngatapa (Jun 1869), for which he was awarded the New Zealand Cross. He later did valuable service as a scout and was promoted temporary sergeant. At Ara-kanihi he pursued the Hauhau to their stockade and during the night liberated a number of settlers' horses which were in their possession. At Paengaroa (Jan 1870) while leading the advance guard of Fraser's force, he was caught in an ambuscade and had a desperate fight and a personal encounter with Peka Makarini, the half-caste Hauhau. Taking his discharge on 13 Aug 1871, Biddle settled at Opouriao, Bay of Plenty, doing contract work, and when the estate was cut up he drew a section, on which he lived for the remainder of his life. He died on 10 Mar 1933.

N.Z. Army records; Cowan; Gudgeon; Whakatane Post, 12 Mar 1933.

Reference: Volume 1, page 50

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