Topic: Militia - LHW - WA
Western Australian Militia
W.A. Troop Volunteer Horse Artillery
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. 36 – 37:
W.A. Troop Volunteer Horse ArtilleryPrior to 1872 no Artillery corps had been raised in Western Australia, probably because a trained officer was not available. However, the Officer appointed to succeed Lieut de Lisle in command of the Union Troop of Mounted Volunteers in 1872, Capt. H. W. Blundell (later known as H. J. A. S. Weld Blundell), was an Officer of British Horse Artillery. Shortly before 1872 two 12Pr Armstrong-Whitworth breech-loading Field Guns were in the possession of the Enrolled Pensioner Corps and were complete with limbers and associated stores. There were no other field guns in the Colony.
There can be no doubt that Capt Blundell inspired the conversion of the corps from Cavalry to Artillery. The guns were too heavy and unsuitable for Horse Artillery but it is natural that Capt. Blundell should have a leaning towards that type of corps. On a date which can reasonably be stated as 1.7.1872, the Union Troop of Mounted Volunteers was re-designated the W.A. Troop of Volunteer Horse Artillery. The guns previously on issue to the Enrolled Pensioners were transferred to the Troop.
The full effect of the change had not been foreseen, for almost at once the Troop Commander demanded a special allowance to cover the cost of cleaning and maintaining the guns, harness, wagons, stores, etc., and for the hire of horse teams. Provision had not been made and funds were scarce. The corps was prominent in all Volunteer activities, including camps, field days, ceremonial and even volunteered to form cavalry escorts for the Governor on ceremonial occasions. It also fired numerous artillery salutes.
The corps designation was changed to "Perth Volunteer Artillery" on 21.3.1882 and its further history will be given under that heading.
Officers of the W.A. Troop of Volunteer Horse ArtilleryCaptain HWA Blundell – 30 June 1872
Lieutenant CC Fauntleroy - 30 June 1872
Captain GB Phillips – 7 April 1873
Lieutenant WA Stone – 12 May 1875
Hon. Surgeon Dr T Hora - 30 June 1872
Previous: Perth Company of W.A. Rifle Volunteers
Next: Fremantle Rifle Volunteers
Further Reading:
Western Australian Militia, Light Horse
Western Australian Militia, Infantry
Citation: The Volunteer Movement in Western Australia, W.A. Troop Volunteer Horse Artillery
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Friday, 14 August 2009 7:47 PM EADT
