Topic: Militia - LHW - WA
Western Australian Militia
Fremantle Volunteer Rifles
The following is an extract from the book written in 1962 by George F. Wieck called The Volunteer Movement in Western Australia 1861-1903, pp. 29 – 30:
Fremantle Volunteer Rifles
The public meeting held in Fremantle in September 1861, recommended an Infantry corps of 100 all ranks, to be designated the "Fremantle Volunteer Rifles". Approval was given, and training, organization etc. proceeded under the direction of Captain C. Finnerty, Staff Officer for Enrolled Pensioners at Fremantle. Formation was "gazetted" on 6/8/1862, as was the appointment of Mr R. S. Price as Captain Commanding.
It is difficult to justify the optimism of the citizens of Fremantle in supposing that their district could supply 100 Volunteers, the population being small and employment uncertain. The objective was never attained. The highest strength gained was in 1864 when the roll bore the names of 69 members, 22 honorary members, and 19 cadets. The recruiting potential seems to have been grossly overestimated.
The corps was armed with obsolete muzzle-loading muskets, presumably those taken over from the War Office stocks held in the Colony. It is understood that the uniform adopted was similar to that of the Perth corps. By-laws were approved on 18/12/1861, and later embodied in the general code.
By 1869 the strength had dwindled to one officer and 50 other ranks, much of it on paper only. After careful inquiry the Military Commandant recommended disbandment of the Corps on the grounds of "Inefficiency". Disbandment was gazetted on 8/2/1870.
Officers of the Fremantle Volunteer RiflesCaptain RS Price - 6 August 1862
Lieutenant M Brown - 22 October 1862
Lieutenant A Francesco - 22 October 1862
Captain CA Manning - 16 November 1864
Lieutenant LW Clifton - 1 June 1866
Previous: Perth Volunteer Rifles
Next: Pinjarrah Mounted Volunteers
Further Reading:
Western Australian Militia, Light Horse
Western Australian Militia, Infantry
Citation: The Volunteer Movement in Western Australia, Fremantle Volunteer Rifles
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Friday, 14 August 2009 12:08 PM EADT
