John Thornton Down
John Thornton Down VC was a British Army officer and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.Down was 21 years old, and an ensign in the 57th Regiment of Foot, British Army during the Second Taranaki War, when the following deed took place on 2 October 1863 at Poutoko, New Zealand for which he and Drummer Dudley Stagpoole were awarded the VC:
Down died of fever at Camp Otahuhu, New Zealand on 27 April 1866. His grave in Otahuhu Churchyard is maintained by the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
