William Dormer Delaney

Born on 9 July1851 he spent some time with the family in Golden Square (Bendigo) after sailing to Melbourne aboard “Madras” 1853/4. William Dormer served in 9 Company and 1st Division Armed Constabulary in Naseby, Otago, TeRanga and Opotiki. He joined up in Drury after travelling from Melbourne in the “Swiftsure” in 1864. There is a newspaper report by William's sister Mary Eleanor Harrison which tells of his actions in virtually saving the township of Opotoki from a Maori Hau Hau attack. He was a great runner and it is believed he used to race the stagecoach from Ranfurly to Naseby for a glass of beer and later became alcoholic. His brother wrote that he was one time long distance champion of NZ. He spent the last 4 years of his life at the Mother Mary Joseph Aubert's Home in Buckle St, Wellington, and died at age 57 with a full military funeral organised by brother Michael and Colonel Beauchamp at 10.45 am Friday, December 6, 1907. William spent time in Naseby and Alexandria where he lost his medal- he applied for a new one in 1900 so he could attend a dinner for veterans. By that time he had moved back to Eketahuna. Although listed as a sailmaker he probably would have been making or repairing tents for the miners. It appears that in 1937 Wellington Council disinterred William’s remains to enable a man called Dorrigo to be buried and so William remains in a gap behind the Dorrigo headstone. William received Lot 378 Sect.2 Opotiki and Lot 18 Simpson's No.8 Block Waimana No.1as his grant for Waikato service.