  |
|
|
|
The early colonial period in New Zealand history was one full of powerful characters on both side of the conflict. But for the title of most flamboyant, there can only be a few contenders. One of them must surely be Captain Gustavus Ferdinand von Tempsky.
Born in Prussia on 4 April 1864 into a military family of Polish descent, his father was a senior officer in the army. He quickly followed the family path, went to Berlin's military school, and then received his commission in the 3rd Fusiliers of Prussia when he was 16. He spent four years within the army, but soon the barracks and the routine got to him and in search of adventure, he set off for the Mosquito Coast of Africa. The German government wanted to set up a colony in Central America, so when von Tempsky went off, it was with a letter for the British Consulate in his pocket. With him went 92 other young men eager for adventure. Britain was at this time competing with the United States for territories in the area. Von Tempsky and his "Prussian Company" helped the British win the eastern route. It was the first time the young soldier had seen active service; it must have excited him. But it was not without it dangers, so many of his company got terrible diseases and died, that they could not even bury their dead. While the remains of his company scuttled back to Germany, von Tempsky stayed behind. The British asked him to train a force of Mosquito Indians, from whom he learnt much about jungle fighting- a skill that would later bring him much fame. But when the United States took over the area he lost that means of support. By now he had fallen in love with the daughter of the British resident Emelia, and determining to make enough money to wed her, he left for the Californian goldmines. He took his time, travelling with a friend north, through Central America, a distance of 3,000 miles. This later became Mitla his written account of the journey, together with watercolors depicting what he saw. For von Tempsky was also a talented painter, as well as musican, writer and of course soldier. Having made his money in the goldfields, he returned home to Emelia and married her as he had promised. He worked for a time for her father in a timber mill, but when he died, von Tempsky took his young family, now expanded by two young children, to the goldfields of Australia.
The copyright of the article Von Tempsky- soldier and more... in New Zealand History is owned by . Permission to republish Von Tempsky- soldier and more... in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
