STAPP, CHARLES (1825-1900) was born in Ireland, and joined the 58th Regiment at Dublin in 1842. He came with it to New South Wales in the following year, and to Bay of Islands at the time of Heke's war (Mar 1845). Stapp was present at the attack on Okaihau pa (8 May 1845) and the storming of Ohaeawai (1 Jul), when he carried a wounded man off the field under fire. He was also at the night attack on the positions on the Waikare river (16 Jul) and the destruction of Kawiti's pa at Ruapekapeka (11 Jan 1846).

Returning to England just when the Crimean war commenced, he volunteered for service, received his ensigncy (Mar 1855), and was promoted lieutenant (in 1857). He acted as staff officer under Lord William Paulet and General Storks (commanding on the Bosphorus and Dardanelles), and was superintendent of hospitals there. In Oct 1858 he retired from the service and settled in New Zealand, being appointed lieutenant and adjutant of the New Plymouth militia and of volunteers in 1859 (captain, 2 Apr). He distinguished himself at Waireka (Mar 1860), where the command of the local forces devolved upon him, by maintaining the fight throughout the afternoon and withdrawing in good order at nightfall. He was present also at Huirangi, and Kaikihi, and in Jul 1864 at the capture of Kaitake. Promoted brevet-major in 1865, he became second-in-command of the Opotiki expeditionary force and received the thanks of the Government for his services in this campaign, in which he was frequently in action. Later he succeeded to the command. After the peace he returned to Taranaki as adjutant to the military settlers. He was in command of the permanent staff from 1866 until Mar 1872. In 1869 he organised the force to recover the bodies of those massacred at White Cliffs.

In 1879 he swore in volunteers in view of Parihaka trouble. He was promoted lieutenant-colonel in the militia in 1885, and retired as colonel on 31 Aug 1891. His wife, who was a daughter of James Webster (arrived 1841) died on 27 Apr 1889. He then married a daughter of William Milner (Derbyshire). Stapp died on 6 Aug 1900.

War Office records; Cowan, Wars; Wells, Hist. Taranaki; Gudgeon (p); Taranaki Herald, 23 Mar 1872, 29 Apr 1889, 7 Aug 1900.

Reference: Volume 2, page 166

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