Colonial Uniforms of Australia. Page 3

New South Wales Mounted Rifles circa 1900

• More illustrations of this type can be found at 
  • GF Collection of Australian uniforms Page 1 and 
    • GF Collection of Australian uniforms Page 2

OFFICER QUEENSLAND SCOTTISH REGT - 1886

One could practically hear the pipes when this colourful soldier came into view.

Undoubtedly, the Queensland Scottish Regiment was one of the most colourful of the Australian Pre-Federation Scottish Regiments. The white Soudan spiked helmet and scarlet tunic gave it a distinctive look, and one can feel a little sorry that such sights are not seen nowadays. 

This officer is of the 1886 period, although the Soudan type helmet was worn until 1905.

OFFICER - VICTORIAN VOLUNTEER RIFLES 1860

This distinguished looking Officer is typical of the Victorian Volunteer Rifles of the 1860s. Attached to his chest belt is a  whistle on the end of a chain, while on his left sleeve he wears crossed muskets, a marksmanship award. By this time the Volunteer movement was well established in Victoria, and preparations were in hand for the fortification of Hobsons Bay and Port Phillip. The arrival of the Confederate Raider Shenandoah in Port Phillip Bay brought the American Civil War and international events hard home to the people of Victoria.

 Undoubted one of our most elegant colonial uniforms. The original unit originated from the old "Rupertswood Battery", formed in connection with cavalry and armed with 4 ten-barrel Nordenfeldt Machine Guns.  

In 1889 it was converted and designated the Victorian Horse Artillery, equipped with 12 pounder cannon supplied by the Victorian Government. 

The battery was wholly maintained by Mr. Churnside and the Hon. Sir William Clarke, Bt., until it was disbanded in 1897. Uniforms were based on those of the Royal Horse Artillery. Only the white helmet was different

SERGEANT - NEW SOUTH WALES LANCERS 1903

The oldest existing cavalry regiment in Australia, the N.S.W. Lancers were first formed in 1885. when the regiment was known as the Sydney Light Horse. The name was changed in 1894 to N.S.W. Lancer Regiment, and the Regiment has the distinction to have been amongst the first of the colonial troops to have landed in South Africa to fight in the Boer War. Members of the Regiment saw service in the 1st World War, and again in the 2nd World War.

The Sergeant depicted is in the colourful uniform of the 1903 period. Since its inception the Regiment has occupied the old historic military barracks at Parramatta, N.S.W., which are known as the Lancer Barracks.

Images above by Monty Wedd. From Australia's Military History: A glimpse at our colourful past with the compliments of Spicer~Cowan. Images below by Monty Wedd from Australian Military Uniforms 1800-1982. Images from Ebay.

Private, Sydney Battalion, 1st New South Wales Rifle Volunteers, 1861

Gunner, New South Wales Volunteer Artillery, 1873

Officer, New South Wales Infantry 1885

Lieutenant Colonel, New South Wales Field Artillery, 1886

South Australian Volunteer Infantry, 1868

South Australian Infantry, 1890

Trooper, Queensland Mounted Rifles, 1896

This is a film prop reproduction tunic of the circa 1844 Governor's Guard who also looked after Gold Escort based from colonial NSW.It has two "squibbed" bullet hits on it from the film production.

Sergeant, Royal Australian Artillery Regiment, Edward VII era

• Royal Australian Artillery Jacket with original Edward VII Brass or Gilt Buttons.

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