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Battle at Pukehinahina, 1864 (Event)

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Robley, Horatio Gordon, 1840-1930 (Person)

SummaryHoratio Gordon Robley was an artist known for his sketches and watercolours of Māori people and culture, which he created during his time fighting as a British soldier in the New Zealand Wars.

Horatio was born at Funchal, Madeira, on 28th of June 1840, to Augusta June Robley (née Penfold) and John Horatio Robley, who was a Captain in the Indian Army. In 1858 he purchased an ensigncy in the 68th Durham Light Infantry. After a short period of training he joined his regiment in Burma where he remained for nearly five years. In 1860 Robley was sent home to England for a period of sick leave. Later in the same year he was present at the siege of Delhi; afterwards, at Rangoon, he assumed command of the guard of King Bahadur Shad.

In 1863 the 68th Regiment left Burma for New Zealand and, in the following April, Robley took his troops to Tauranga to join General Cameron's forces attacking Gate Pa. Here he remained for 19 months during which his amazing series of sketches of Maori life were executed. Until shortly before his death in London on the 29th of October 1930, Robley maintained a lively correspondence with distinguished New Zealanders. His interest in tattoo and in preserved heads never diminished.SourcesBellamy, A. (Ed.), (1990). 'Horatio Gordon Robley : soldier artist in the Bay of Plenty, 1864-1866'. An edited version of 'Soldier with a Pencil' By L.W. Melvin, 1957. Tauranga Historical Society.Phillipps, William John (1966). 'Robley, Major-General Horatio Gordon (1840-1930). from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock.

Photographs

Lt H. G. Robley 1867

Sketch of Te Papa Peninsula

Photographic print of sketch of Henare Taratoa

Sketch of Military Camp c. 1865

Artworks

Index to waka tauā racing on Tauranga harbour

Waka tauā racing on Tauranga harbour

Haka peruperu by Te Arawa at Maketū

Māori sentry on gate at Maketū, 1865

Publication Collections

Robley : soldier with a pencil

Horatio Gordon Robley : soldier artist in the Bay of Plenty, 1864-1866

Audio Visuals

Scribbles and scratchings (Horatio Robley in Ams 261): The Past and the Curious

Publications

Horatio Gordon Robley : soldier artist in the Bay of Plenty, 1864-1866

Archive Collections

Horatio Gordon Robley's (1840-1930) correspondence with John Cuthbert Adams (1854-1932)

Artwork Series

Horatio Robley Collection

Photo 05-274, 'Lt H. G. Robley 1867'

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Kaitiakitanga StatementWe ask that, in addition to normal copyright and privacy considerations, users of our heritage resources uphold the mana and dignity of the people, communities and places depicted within.CopyrightTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesAcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries

Personal Information

First Name(s)Horatio GordonSurnameRobleyGenderMaleDate of Birth28 June 1840Place of BirthFunchal, Madeira, PortugalDate of Death29 October 1930Place of DeathLondon, EnglandOccupationSoldierArtist

Whānau

MotherAugusta June Robley (née Penfold)FatherCaptain John Horatio Robley

Relates To

EventsBattle at Pukehinahina, 1864 (Event)

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AuthorTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries

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Robley, Horatio Gordon, 1840-1930 (Person)