Topic: Militia - LHW - WA
Western Australian Militia
Perth Volunteer 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. 47 - 48:
Perth Volunteer Artillery
This corps was created by a simple change of designation from "W.A. Troop of Volunteer Horse Artillery" on 21 August 1882. It is understood that at about this time the type of uniform was changed to the normal Royal Artillery pattern.
Strength of the corps in 1882 stood at 30 all ranks, later variations are suggestive of spasmodic efforts to clear away accumulations of inefficients, e.g. the strength in 1882 was 30, 42 in 1884, 32 in 1886, 44 in 1887, 50 in 1893, and 32 in 1895.
The guns were drawn by 4-horse teams hired for the occasion. The first change of armament took place in August 1894, when the Armstrong-Whitworth guns were replaced by two 9 pr rifled M.L. guns [9 pounder rifled muzzle loading guns], complete with limbers, etc.
The corps was kept very busy. There were ceremonial parades, numerous artillery salutes, and camps (including that held in 1884). Permission was given to form a Cavalry Escort for the Governor when he was returning from an official visit to the Victoria district.
In 1887 the corps designation was changed again this time to "No. 1 Battery, Field Artillery", although to the average citizen it was still the Perth Volunteer Artillery. For further details refer to No. 1 Battery, Field Artillery.
Officers of the Perth Volunteer ArtilleryCaptain GB Phillips, 21 March 1882
Major EW Haynes, 21 March 1882
Lieutenant WA Stone, 25 April 1882
Previous: Naval Artillery Volunteers
Next: Northampton Rifle Volunteers
Further Reading:
Western Australian Militia, Light Horse
Western Australian Militia, Infantry
Citation: The Volunteer Movement in Western Australia, Perth Volunteer Artillery
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Friday, 4 September 2009 10:20 PM EADT
