

Commander Edward Hay was Captain of the HMS Harrier. He led the Naval Brigade storming party during the Battle of Gate Pā at Pukehinahina on 29 April 1864. Edward was mortally wounded, dying from his wounds on 30 April 1864 at the age of 29. Story researched and written by Debbie McCauley.
Looking wrong? Archived version here.
Edward Hay was born in Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland on 11 February 1835. He was the youngest son of Rear-Admiral James Hay, of Belton, East Lothian and his wife Mary Hathorn Hay (nee Stewart).
Edward became Captain of the HMS Harrier. He led the Naval Brigade storming party during the Battle of Gate Pā on 29 April 1864. Edward was mortally wounded, dying from his wounds on 30 April 1864 at the age of 29.
Hay was only believed wounded when the Daily Southern Cross reported on 3 May 1864:
Commander Edward Hay has only recently arrived from England to supply the place of Captain Sullivan, of the 'Harrier,' who, being promoted, returned home. He served as midshipman on board the 'Havannah' when that vessel was on this station in 1849, in command, of Captain Elphinston Erskine. In 1855 he served as mate of the 'Agamemnon,' was presented with a medal and foreign decoration, and received his commission in the 'Harrier', which vessel is under orders to proceed home, in November last year.
Grave of Edward Hay at Mission Cemetery. Photo: Debbie McCauley (July, 2011).
Sources:
Daily Southern Cross (3 May 1864, p. 3).
McCauley, Debbie (5 August 2011). Identity and the Battle of Gate Pa (Pukehinahina), 29 April 1864.
The Gentleman's Magazine (Vol II, 1864).
How to cite this page: McCauley, Debbie (2012). Edward Hay (1835-1864). Retrieved from http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/battles_of_gate_pa_and_te_ranga_1864/topics/show/931 (Tauranga Memories, last updated: *insert date*). In-text citation: (McCauley, 2012)
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This page archived at Perma CC in March of 2017: https://perma.cc/792W-FXWV
Year: | 1864 |
First Names: | Edward |
Last Name: | Hay |
Date of Birth: | 11 February 1835 |
Place of Birth: | Dunbar, East Lothian |
Country of birth: | Scotland |
Date of death: | 30 April 1864 |
Place of death: | Gate Pa, Tauranga, New Zealand |
Place of burial: | Mission Cemetery, Tauranga |
Occupation: | Captain |
Name of the ship: | HMS Harrier |
Fathers name: | James Hay |
Fathers date of birth: | 6 March 1786 |
Fathers date of death: | 3 February 1857 |
Mothers name: | Mary Hathorn Stewart |
Mothers date of birth: | c1801 |
Mothers place of birth: | Glasserton, Wigtownshire, Scotland |
Mothers date of death: | 26 April 1880 |
Military Service: | New Zealand Wars |