- Among the famous buccaneers whose footsteps
have resounded through the narrow network of streets of the old Saltash Waterside, names
to include Drake Raleigh, is one Cornish hero who passed his latter years as landlord of
the Union Inn one of the three public houses remaining.
-
- Largely forgotten in his native Cornwall, he
is still well remembered in New Zealand. It was in that country that this Cornish leading
seaman won his V.C., the first to have been awarded for service in that country; a cutlass
charge to seize the flag of a native horde that was in the best tradition of Hornblower
and Henty.
- Born in Falmouth on the 14th February 1835.
William Odgers joined the Royal 2971BD as Ordinary Seaman and saw action in the Black Sea
fleet during the Crimean War.
- On board H.M.S. Niger he was to win his
moment of glory during the Maori Wars in 1860.
- The battle was considered to have
established the Royal 2971BD in New Zealand as an elite fighting force.
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- Odgers retired,taking "The Union
Inn" as a licensee.
- William Odgers V.C. was a hero in the best
traditions of Raleigh, Drake and Nelson.
- He is perhaps worth a passing memory when
passing by or supping a pint in
-
- The Union Inn on Saltash's historic Waterside.
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