Topic: Militia - LHW - WA
Western Australian Militia
Fremantle Rifle Volunteers
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. 37 – 39:
Fremantle Rifle Volunteers
Sponsored by Mr. G. B. Humble of Fremantle, a memorial bearing the names of 40 persons desirous of forming an Infantry Volunteer corps at Fremantle was presented to the Military Commandant on 30.8.1872. Approval to form a corps, to be designated the "Fremantle Rifle Volunteers" appeared in the Government Gazette of 5.10.1872. Approval was given also for the new corps to wear uniform of the same type and pattern as that of the defunct Fremantle Volunteer Rifles. Captain R. Sutherland was appointed to Command as from 7.10.1872.
On 7.10.1872 corps strength stood at 71: it increased to 69 plus bandsmen in 1873; and by 1877 had increased to 124 all ranks. The maximum of 137 was reached in 1893 but a drop to 78 occurred in the following year when, presumably, the roll was purged of inefficients and dead-heads.
Approval to form a second Company was given in 1884. For a period of nine years corps strength was never less than 100, overshadowing the Perth Corps in this regard.
The Inspector of Volunteers reviewed the corps on 13.3.1873 (attendance 55) and again on 23.10.1873, both reports being favourable - even to the extent of recommending that new Martini-Henri rifles then on their way from England should be issued to replace the very obsolete weapons the corps then possessed. The new rifles were issued in due course but could not be fired for some months because someone in authority had forgotten to order suitable ammunition.
Corps training was co-ordinated with that of the Perth and Guildford bodies, the three frequently combining to carry out tactical and ceremonial exercises. It formed part of the 1st Battalion W.A. Volunteers and also attended the 1884 camp.
When on 1.7.1899 the Perth, Guildford and Fremantle corps were amalgamated to form the 1st Infantry Regiment, the latter provided "C" and "D" Companies of the new arrangement.
Officers of the Fremantle Rifle VolunteersMajor R Sutherland – 7 October 1872
Captain GB Humble - 7 October 1872
Sub Lieutenant M Samson – 25 March 1873
Captain CL Clifton - 25 March 1873
Captain H Smith - 12 March 1884
Lieutenant HJ Saw – 7 May 1884
Captain AA Scott – 27 September 1892
Captain GH Stone - 20 May 1885
Captain WA Payne - 23 May 1885
Captain CA Saw - 23 May 1885
Captain JAE Humble – 6 January 1888
Captain FWT Robinson - 17 October 1893
Lieutenant FJ Townsend – 13 December 1894
Lieutenant HC Horne - 19 October 1894
Lieutenant FG Thorne - 29 April 1895
Captain DG Gawler - 25 March 1896
Second Lieutenant R Strelitz - 25 March 1896
Second Lieutenant S Ingliss – 17 August 1898
Captain WW Abbott – 1 April 1900
Second Lieutenant AM Cook - 21 May 1900
Previous: W.A. Troop Volunteer Horse Artillery
Next: Guildford Rifle Volunteers
Further Reading:
Western Australian Militia, Light Horse
Western Australian Militia, Infantry
Citation: The Volunteer Movement in Western Australia, Fremantle Rifle Volunteers
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Friday, 4 September 2009 6:47 PM EADT
