Warrant Officer II Samuel Northridge of the NSW Irish Rifles

[slick_mick]

Warrant Officer II Samuel Northridge of the NSW Irish Rifles.

In the days before Federation and long before the inauguration of universal training, all that was attractive in matters military emanated from the keenness and efficiency of the national regiments' St. George's, English, Australian. Scottish, and Irish Rifles. Last January (1935) witnessed the jubilee of the formation of the New South Wales Scottish Rifles, and this year coincides with the "fortieth anniversary of the inception of the Irish Rifles. In the mid-nineties it was advocated that the loyalty of the Irish citizen of Sydney to the Queen and the Empire could be no more fittingly demonstrated than by the formation of an Irish Volunteer Regiment and so the month of November 1895 saw the Initial arrangements set on foot. A largely attended meeting of influential citizens was subsequently held on Monday January 20 1806 in the reading-room of the Hotel Australia. It was presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Moran, and after the chairman had set out the objects of the meeting. Lieutenant Colonel: A. J. Thynne, who was connected with the Irish Volunteer Corps movement in Queensland, addressed the gathering and finally it was decided to raise the regiment.

A deputation, consisting of Sir Patrick Manning, the Hons T Dalton, J. Toohey, and J. Lane-Mullens, Colonel Waddell, Major's Strong and F. B. Freehill, Captain Ferris, and Mr. (late Sir) Austin Chapman was then elected to interview the Premier Sir George Dibbs, and Major-Genéral Sir E.T. Hutton, then Commandant of the Ñew South Wales forces. Before this initial meeting closed, the following significant telegram from the Commándant to Colonel Waddell was read to the gathering:- "Please say that I had been available, I should certainly have-been present. I entirely concur in the proposal to form the Irish Rifles on the strict understanding that the corps maintains an nondenominational and non-political character. I personally have very emphatic views on the military value of Irish men, and I wish every success to the New South Wales Irish Rifles.

This deputation, having been favourably received, the formation of the National Regiment was approved and duly gazetted on March 25 1896, its first, Commanding Officer being Major: James Garvan, who had originally suggested and initiated its formation. How ever, he only held the command for a brief period, and he was succeeded by Major: (later Colonel: J. H. P Murray, at present Lieutenant-Governor of Papua, and perhaps the most able Administrator of native territories in the British Empire.

ITS INFLUENCE SPREADS

On June 30 1896. th Irish Rlfles (consisting of three companies) in conjunction with the Scottish Rifles formed the 5th Union Volunteer Infantry Regiment from which it was to emerge on June 28 1890, as the 8th Union Volunteer Infantry Regiment. It was in the latter year that another company was added to its establishment while two companies of the Illawarra Rifles (Kogarah and Bulli) were attached to form an administrative unit of six companies. In September 1900 two companies were formed at Newcastle under the command of Captain: T. M. O'Neill, with Lieutenant: D. O'sullivan as his subaltern; while June 1902, saw, the two Illawarra companies being transferred from the Irish Rifles to the St, George's Rifles.

After Colonel: J. H. Murray's retirement, the command fell to Major; (later Colonel). F. B. Freehill a man of short stature in comparison to the tall athletic Murray but never the less a soldier of great keenness and administrative ability and one who helped to build up the tradition of the regiment. The headquarters of this old volunteer unit was for many years in the old barracks in Chancery-square till they were subsequently demolished to make room for the stately Registrar-General's Department, while its parade ground was in the Domain close by. On moving from here Its Commanding Officer leased a store in Dalley street, nearly opposite the present Metropolitan Business College, while subsequently it was located at Victoria Barracks, Paddington. The regiment was well represented in every contingent that left New South Wales for South Africa. Its Commanding Officer: Colonel Murray, distinguishing himself at the battle of Diamond Hill and being present at the occupation of Pretoria, while Captain: H. D. Woods, one of the original officers rather than be denied the privilege of active service, volunteered as a sergeant, with the 1st Australian Light Horse, while the sterling services of the rank and file is perpetuated to day by the emblazonment of the battle honour, South Africa, on the regimental colour of the 55th Battalion, A.M.F. When the State troops came under the control of the Commonwealth, the unit once more changed its designation, when, on October 31 1903, it became the New South Wales Irish Rifle Regiment.