• These artist's impressions are from a set of collectable cards issued by the Golden Fleece Oil Company which was a well known brand in Australia in the 1950s. The illustrations and the wording are, to the best of my ability to check, reasonably accurate. No alterations have been made by me. The wording appeared on the back of the card, the picture on the front.

At the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1854, it seemed Australia might be invaded by Russia. Volunteer regiments were formed to bolster British Regiments garrisoned here. This soldier from the Sydney Battalion of Volunteer Rifles is typical of the period. Companies were distinguished by colour of hat pompoms.

Attached to this officer's chest belt is a whistle on a chain, while on his left sleeve he wears crossed muskets, a marksmanship award. By the year 1860 this volunteer movement was well established and preparations were in hand for the fortification of Hobson's Bay and Port Philip Bay.

Like other Australian States, South Australia decided to organise a military force to defend itself. Here is a volunteer of 1868 ramming a charge into his 3-banded Enfield percussion muzzle-loading rifle. The uniform although baggy, was on British Lines. A musketry award is worn on the left sleeve

In 1858 the Ballarat Volunteer Regiment was formed of four infantry and two cavalry divisions. This soldier, a Ranger of the Ballarat Volunteers of 1874, has a Busby made of sealskin and wears a marksmanship award on his left sleeve. Volunteers used Lancaster percussion muzzle-loading rifles

The soldier's uniform depicted was based on those of the British Army. The shako (hat) was similar to those worn by the British Rifle Regiments, with the exception of the badge, a silvered one bearing the St. George's Cross with five stars within a garter bearing the motto, "Aut Pace Aut Bello" Victoria.

A member of our first overseas expeditionary force sent to Egypt to assist the British forces in an attempt to recapture Khartoum. The contingent of some 734 volunteers, including 522 infantry, left Sydney on March 3, 1885, for the Soudan. They saw little action and returned on June 18.

The NSW Artillery made its mark in history when, in 1885, 212 artillerymen and 6 cannon left with the Soudan Contingent. This officer's uniform of suede cloth, with gold badge, buttons, and other apparel, designate him as being a permanent soldier, or regular. Volunteers wore silver.

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 giving it a very distinctive look. The officer illustrated is of the 1886 period, although the Soudan  type helmet was worn until 1905.

The original unit originated from the old "Rupertswood Battery", in 1889 it was designated the Victorian Horse Artillery. The battery was wholly maintained by Mr. Churnside and the Hon. Sir William Clarke, Bt., until it was disbanded. Uniforms were based on those of the Royal Horse Artillery.

The soldier's spiked helmet, illustrated, was in vogue, typical of those worn by the British Line regiments, and similar to those worn by the German Army in the Franco-Prussian War. The Regiment was formerly the 1st Victorian Metropolitan Rifles, and later became the 1st Victorian Regiment.

When Queensland became a State in 1859, it organised Infantry, Artillery, Engineers and Mounted Rifle Regiments, plus a small Naval Force. Volunteer contingents of Imperial Bushmen and Mounted Rifles from Queensland fought in the Boer War. This soldier illustrated is a Gunner.

By the year 1890 South Australia had organised a very efficient military force. The uniform had changed from the early days and was modelled on the lines of the British Line Regiments of the time, except that the colour was khaki. Martini-Henry rifles were issued to all non-commissioned ranks.

Formed in 1885 it was raised from volunteers from rifle clubs in country districts, each member supplying his own horse. The Corps served in he Boer War and later many of its members served in World War 1. It was disbanded during World War 2 while the 8th Cavalry Regiment.

This trooper belongs to one of this country's historic units. Formerly the Adelaide Mounted Rifles, in 1886 it was redesignated The Adelaide Lancers. In 1895 the unit was absorbed into the South Australia Mounted Rifles ("A" Squadron). Eventually it became the 16th Australian Light Horse.

This soldier is equipped for departure to South Africa, to fight alongside members of other Australian Colonial Forces in the Boer War. It is interesting to note his slouch hat turned up on the right hand side, instead of today's conventional left side. Khaki had become the accepted service colour.

N.S.W. first formed its Naval Brigade in 1861. Then in 1900 N.S.W. and Victoria sent naval Brigade contingents to China to help quell the Boxer Rebellion. This rating is fully equipped for that expedition. In 1901, Australia became a Commonwealth and Naval Forces came under Federal control.

When British Regular troops withdrew from Western Australia in 1863, there were only three volunteer units in existence. But from that time the volunteer movement was to grow steadily. In 1899 Western Australia sent troops to South Africa to fight in the Boer War. This officer is in dress uniform.

Formed in 1897, this distinguished Regiment served in the Boer War and the 1st and 2nd World Wars. In 1930 it became the 3rd Aust. Light Horse regiment (Aust. Horse) and, after several more changes, became the 7th Aust. Motor Regiment in 1942. The Regiment was disbanded in 1943.

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