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Victorian Colonial Military Forces Units, 1854-1901
The Victorian Colonial Military Forces refers to organized Victorian (non-British) pre-colonial military activity, whether voluntary or professional. They were divided into:
VOLUNTARY, UNPAID:
Naval Brigade (1859-1901) This voluntary, part-time brigade included a large proportion of ex-Royal Navy men. They were trained in infantry and artillery drill, both ashore and on board ship. The Naval Brigade supplemented the small permanent navy. It was divided into Williamstown and Sandridge (Port Melbourne) divisions.
Victorian Volunteer Forces (1854-1884) Became the primary defence force of the Colony after the withdrawal of the Imperial troops in 1870. The first colonial military unit in Victoria (separate to regular British units) was the Melbourne Rifle Regiment, formed in 1854. Cavalry, Artillery, Engineer, Torpedo and Signal units were later established, often as a result of private initiative, with titles deriving from the places in which they were raised. All units were voluntary and served part-time. Disbanded in favour of the professional Victorian Militia Force, funded by the Victorian colonial government, in 1884.
PROFESSIONAL, PAID:
Permanent Naval Forces (1867-1901) These came into effective existence with the acquisition of HMVS Nelson, an obsolete, Napoleonic era line-of-battleship. More vessels were added later. Permanent Naval Forces personnel were usually supplemented by members of the Naval Brigade.
Victorian Artillery (1870-1901) Made a permanent professional force with the removal of Imperial forces in 1870, this is sometimes called the Permanent Artillery Corps. It provided standing garrisons for fortifications in the colony, and instructional staff for Victorian Volunteer Forces artillery units. It never exceeded 300 men.
Victorian Militia Force (1884-1901) When volunteer military forces were disbanded in 1884 a permanent militia defence force was established in its place by the Victorian colonial government. This force continued until Federation in 1901, when a national defence force was established.
SEMI-PROFESSIONAL, ALLOWANCES PAID:
Victorian Mounted Rifles (1885-1901) Formed in 1885, companies were recruited in rural centres. Members of country rifle clubs formed a significant component. A small allowance only was paid to members. Mounted Riflemen were required to provide their own mount. Not to be confused with similarly named contingents to the Boer War.
Victorian Rangers (1888-1901) An infantry equivalent to the Victorian Mounted Rifles, the Victorian Rangers were raised in 1888. Members of country rifle clubs formed a significant component. A small allowance only was paid to members. Not to be confused with similarly named contingents to the Boer War.
References:
National Archives of Australia Fact Sheet 134: 'Colonial defence personnel records held in Melbourne'.
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 1 - 10) 37 items
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Medal - Royal Victorian Volunteer Artillery Regiment, Australia, 1858
Royal Victorian Volunteer Artillery Regiment medal awarded to S.C. Newman on 24 May 1858. Newman served in the No. 1 Gun Detachment of the Royal Victorian Volunteer Artillery Regiment ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2 -
Rifle - Westley Richards Carbine, 1861
British Service percussion rifle, Westley Richards carbine, cal. .451 in., steel rifled (eight groove) round barrel, 636 mm long. Manufactured by Westley Richards, Birmingham, 1861. Bu ...
From: Birmingham, United Kingdom Images: 4 -
Rifle - Brunswick Rifle, Lacy & Co, London, late 1840s
British Service percussion rifle, Brunswick Rifle, 2nd model, cal. .704 in., steel rifled (two groove) round barrel, 765 mm long, with bayonet bar with front notch on R.H.side. Made by ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 3 -
Rifle - Reeves Patent Rifle, circa 1860
British percussion rifle, Charles Reeves patent, cal. .543 in., steel rifled (five groove) round barrel, 838 mm long. Manufactured by Charles Reeves, Birmingham, circa 1860. One of 2 ...
From: Birmingham, United Kingdom Images: 3 -
Rifle - Altered Pattern 1842 Musket
British Service percussion musket, Altered Pattern 1842 Rifle (Sea Service), cal. .758 in., steel rifled (three groove, Minie) round barrel, 762 mm long, with Lovell's bayonet catch on ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 3 -
Medal - Victorian Rifle Association, Australia, 1873
Gold prize medal of the Victorian Rifle Association, awarded to Sergeant Limerock, 1873. The Rifle Association was closely linked to the Victorian Volunteer Defence Force, whose motto ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2 -
Musket - Pattern 1842 Musket
British Service percussion musket, Pattern 1842 Musket (Sea Service), cal. .665 in., steel smoothbore round barrel, 771 mm long, no bayonet catch on R.H.side. One of 26 guns donated in ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 4 -
No Image Available
Musket - Pattern 1840 Constabulary Carbine
British Service percussion carbine, Pattern 1840 Carbine (Constabulary Carbine), cal. .653 in., steel smoothbore round barrel. Carbine cut down in 1955 and the lock mechanism section ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 0 -
Rifle - Martini, Francotte Patent, Birmingham Small Arms Co, circa 1890
Australian Service rifle, Francotte Patent Martini, cal. .230in. (297/230), steel rifled (five groove) round barrel, 699 mm long. Made by Birmingham Small Arms Co, Ltd, circa 1890. Th ...
From: Liege, Belgium Images: 4 -
Rifle - Martini Henry Mk III, Birmingham Small Arms Co, 1885
British Service rifle, Martini Henry Mk III, cal. .450in., steel Henry rifled (seven groove) round barrel, 844 mm long, bayonet mount on R.H.side. Made by Birmingham Small Arms Co Ltd, ...
From: Birmingham, United Kingdom Images: 4
