Capt. Thomas Tunks

Born in England. Retired Captain from the 68th Regiment (Durham Light Infantry) and came to New Zealand on board the Northumberland on 13 September 1861 with three of his children, Sarah (22), Annie (17) and Thomas (13). He obtained a military land grant. Served throughout the Waikato Campaign. On 31 May 1864 he married Elizabeth Frances (Bessie), youngest daughter of John Boylan, of Ireland, at St Matthew's Church, Auckland. Later resided in Tauranga. Wrote to Donald McLean from Tauranga in 1872 re position as officer in charge of Customs Department at Tauranga.

DEATH OF CAPTAIN TUNKS. With great regret we have to record the death of Captain Thomas Tunks, at the ripe ago of 77 years. This gallant officer, who was one of tho few Crimean veterans now left, was born in 1809, and joined the 68th Durham Light Infantry in 1825, at the early age of 16. He served with this regiment first in Canada and Ireland, and afterwards throughout the Crimean war. He was present and took part in the famous battles of Inker man, Alma, and the storming of Sebastapol; for which services he received the Queen's medal with three clasps, and the Turkish medal ; and later on he also obtained a medal for long service. He resigned his commission in the 68th Regiment owing to ill health, caused by the exposure and hardships he had undergone in the service of his country, and in 1861 came out to New Zealand, where he obtained a military grant of land in farther recognition of his "merit. On the native war breaking out in 1863, he offered his services to the Colonial Government, which they gladly accepted, appointing him to a Captaincy in the 1st Waikato Regiment. In this capacity, he acted throughout the war and until the regiment was disbanded. A strange coincidence occurred during his service with the 1st Waikatos. In 1864 the regiment was ordered to Tauranga, and on arrival Captain, Tunics was mci by many of his old comrades of the 68th, who gave him a hearty reception ; that regiment having already taken up their quarters there. On the latter being ordered home, the remembrance of the stirring times they had spent together in other countries was strong in the bid soldier, who once more fell in and marched with his old corps from the parade ground to the beach to see them embark. Since the termination of hostilities, and therefore of his active service, Captain Tunks has taken a strong- interest in the Welfare of this district. He wan on several occasions Chairman of the Town Board, was recently a member of the Borough Council, and. at the time of his death a director of the Tauranga-Rotorua Railway Company. As he was so well-known to all our readers, it is not necessary to say that he was a favourite with all ; a man of strict integrity, and one who will be sincerely regretted. He had been suffering for the last fortnight from extreme weakness, but latterly appeared to be regaining strength. On Tuesday evening, however, he was suddenly seized with a spasm of pain in this chest, causing him great agony until he became unconscious. He passed away in quiet sleep at half -past two in the morning of Wednesday, the 28th instant, — a good man and true.Source: Bay of Plenty Times (29 April 1886, p. 2) https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT18860429.2.7

NOTE: Possible baptism entered 'Thomas Tonks'. The only one found which matches in Staffordshire. Gives mother as Mary.