19th C Colonial Militia Reference?

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

An odd question but does anyone have or know of a reference for 19th Century British Colonial Militia Units?

As British Colonies and Protectorates proliferated throughout the world during the Victorian period, Militia units also were created in far flung regions. I have a few buttons to various units but I'm finding it increasingly difficult to do any research and information on individual units seems very scant, for example dates of the creation/disbandment of individual units. So I though I would through out this question just in case anyone knows of a reference (or list) which details Colonial Militia Units and their dates of activation?

Long shot I know but hey, no harm in asking.

Cheers,

Roy

[kingsley]

It would be a long list, even for Australia alone. Australian regiments were all part-time Militia from 1854 onwards, mostly known as Rifle Volunteers. From 1860 there was more enthusiasm, possibly as a result of the Austrian-French war for the unification of Italy. In the 1860s (in NSW alone) there were eight Sydney militia regiments and twelve in country areas all with territorial titles (e.g.'Maitland and Morpeth Rifle Vols").
The most interesting of these was the 1868 Duke of Edinburgh's Highland Volunteer Rifle Corps, the ancestor of the NSW Scottish Rifles, formed in honour of his visit. They wore full highland dress with spectacular badges, one of which was given to my grandfather about 1900 by a relative of the wearer. Happily I still have it.
When the Brits went home in 1870, the six colonies organised better funded forces until 1903 when the State armies became the Australian army (still militia of course).
It is impossible to determine just which pattern? badge a particular militia regiment wore before 1880. They are dozens of universal type slung bugles, which we have discussed at times on the Forum and no one knows the answer. I well believe that in Britain and all around the Empire, militia regiments probably ordered the same bugle badge.
After 1880 there seemed to be a preference for coiled bugles. NSW 1,2,3,and 4 Infantry wore WM coiled bugles with a number inside. Some pouch badges had a separate QVC crown above the bugle and there are large shako bugles as well.
See attached scan.

[Roy]

Thanks for that Kinglsey,

Some really interesting information there. As you say, likely a very long list, not just when one included Australia but also Canada too.

However and aside from those to countries mentions, there are so many little islands Colonies/Dominions around the globe there must be a list somewhere - or maybe not..

It's a fascinating topic that seems to be relatively un-researched, which seems a pity.

Cheers,

Roy

[fairlie63]

Hi Roy,

Try the Monthly Army List. I'm not certain how often they were published but certainly the colonial Corps were listed in certain issues.

Keith

[Lancer 17]

Hi Roy

How are you doing mate, keeping your head down and being safe I hope.

Mate you have opened a can of worms on this one. There is a book on Australian Pre Federation (ie pre 1901) Aussie badges but I don't have a copy, I never saw one for sale and Cossum never did get his Pre Fed book done. However Cossums Button book shows buttons for all Australian Pre Fed states and theres lots of them, each colony has a few pages from infantry, artillery and navy etc.

There is a book on "Victorian Land Forces 1853 - 1883" by a mate of mine, George Ward who only lives a few Km away, however I cant get to him at the moment as we are in "Full lock down". It covers all the Victorian Colonial units with lots of photos of men in uniform but only a few of badges. There are several other books that show either photos or drawings of badges and buttons etc.

Roy if you or any of the other Aussie collectors are interested in George Wards book I will give him a call and see if he has any left, I think that they would be about $25 or $30 plus postage. The book is A4 in size and has 150 pages and is a gold mine of information. Also Roy I can scan the Pre Fed buttons and email them to you if you want.

All for now

regards

Phil.

[kingsley]

Phil, put me down for a copy of Ward's book. Never heard of it. I don't mind waiting until the lockdown is over.
Thanks.